NSF Stops BFN From Africa TourneyA

The Secretary, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Amaechi Akawo, said yesterday that Nigeria would not participate in the Africa Junior Championships in Mozambique from July 24 to July 30.

Akawo told newsmen in Lagos that the players, who would have represented the country, were engaged in the ongoing 17th National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt.

He said that the period between the end of the Games and commencement of the championships was too short for any meaningful preparation.

“Nigeria will not be attending the Africa Junior Championships because most of the players are at the sports festival.

Besides, talents to be discovered at the Games still need to undergo thorough training,” Akawo said.

He added that most of the players in the junior team were representing their states at the biennial festival.

The secretary said the technical crew of the federation were in Port Harcourt to select talented players for grooming for future international tournaments.