Player Solicits Support For Badminton

A top Nigerian badminton
player, Eneojo Abah, has urged corporate organisations to sponsor the 2015 competitions of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) in order to develop the sport.
Abah, ranked 320 in the world, told newsmen in Lagos that badminton was in need of sponsorship and that players were getting discouraged, due to a lack of competitions.
“We have been training but we do not have competitions to show for our efforts; it can be disheartening attending one or two competitions nationally and internationally in a year.
“The present board has tried its best but we need to surpass what we recorded in 2014 in terms of competitions.
“Without adequate finance, their best will not be obvious. Corporate bodies should please assist BFN, if not for anything, to keep youths off vices.’’
Abah advised upcoming players not to be discouraged by the problem of inadequate competitions, saying they should remain committed and disciplined.
“The upcoming ones should not be tired; they should continue to work hard because that is what will expose them at the end of the day.
“They should believe that there will be a breakthrough someday and Nigeria will be a force to reckon with at international competitions.’’
Abah said that attending regular international tournaments would help build and improve the players, and that a lack of competitions had negatively affected the rating of local players.
“Regular competitions help to build the confidence of players and coaches. The reason why I am still rated 320 in the world is due to lack of competitions,’’ he said.
Abah said that some players depended on badminton as their source of livelihood and that other sports, apart from football, should be given recognition.