Nigeria To Parade 12 Badminton Players At AAG

The Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) yesterday said 12 players would represent the country at the All Africa Games scheduled to hold from September 3 to September 18 in Maputo, Mozambique.

The secretary of the federation, Amechi Akawo, told newsmen in Lagos that the team would be led by Ifraimu Jinkam.

“The team will be led by Ifraimu Jinkam, who is the country’s top player, and will depart on August 27 to allow the players acclimatise before the commencement of the Games,” he said.

Akawo expressed optimism that the team would do well at the Games, adding that Nigeria was one of the top two countries on the continent.

“Most of these players are not new to international competitions, so I have no fear about them having a good outing at the Games,” he said.

Other players in the male category are Olaoluwa Fagbemi, Enejo Abah, Victor Makanjuola, Ibrahim Adamu and Femi Elewa.

The females are Fatima Azeez, Susan Ideh, Mariam Braimoh, Grace Daniel, Grace Gabriel and Tosin Atolagbe.

Akawo said that five officials would accompany the team.

Some of the players, who spoke to newsmen, promised not to let the country down and assured Nigerians that they would win no fewer than three gold medals.