SPORTS
Mutual Benefits National Badminton Championship Winner Gets N5m Insurance Cover
Current National and African Badminton champion, Anuoluwapo Opeyori, has maintained his position as the winner of the men’s singles category of the 4th Mutual Benefits National Badminton Championship for 2023 on Saturday in Lagos.
Opeyori, representing Lagos State, was not only rewarded with N250,000 cash prize, but also received a personal accident insurance cover worth N5 million from Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, one of the sponsors of the championship.
This insurance cover will provide protection for Opeyori in the event of death, permanent disability, and medical expenses.
The men’s singles category also saw Victor Ikechukwu, representing Rivers State, emerge as the first runner-up and received N200,000 cash prize.
The second and third runners-up in this category were awarded N150,000 cash prizes each.
In the women’s singles category, Ruth Ebere, representing Edo State, emerged as the winner and received N250,000 cash prize.
Deborah Ukeh, also from Edo State, secured the second position and was awarded N200,000.
Moving on to the men’s doubles, Opeyori, partnered with Daniel Christopher of Lagos State, emerged as the winners and received N150,000 cash prize each.
Victor Ikechukwu and Emmanuel Joseph of Rivers State came in second place in this category and received N100,000 each.
In the women’s doubles category, Grace Gabriel and Ramatu Yakubu, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), emerged as the winners and received N150,000 each.
Zainab Alebi and Sofiat Obanisola of Rivers State secured the second position and were awarded N100,000 respectively.
Other winners of the mixed double also got cash prizes varying from N150,000 for the winner, N100,000 for the first runner-up, while the two third runners-up received N75,000.
Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, Group Chairman, Mutual Benefits, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to sponsor the tournament and announced the one-year personal accident insurance cover for Opeyori.
Ogunbiyi, represented by Mr Joseph Oladokun, Executive Director, Technical operations, Mutual Benefits Assurance, said that the insurance would provide coverage for death, permanent disability, and medical expenses up to N5 million.
He stated that the journey of the insurance company from the edition of the championships in 2017 had been remarkable.
According to the chairman, the insurer is honoured to provide the platform for young, talented Nigerians to showcase their skills, mentorship, grow and set stage for future champions.
“The courts have borne witness to exceptional serves, powerful smashes, agile footwork and a display of passion and dedication from the players.
“We have witnessed remarkable victories, heart-wrenching defeats and moments of sheer magic that will be etched in our memories forever,” he said.
Ogunbiyi said the commitment is an integral part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities as it strive to contribute to the growth and development of the Nigerian Youth and development of sports at different levels.
Ogunbiyi appreciated the leadership of BFN for their dedication to organise the championships and to train and mentor the young athletes.
A lawyer, Mr Francis Orbih, the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), commended Mutual Benefits for its steadfast support of badminton in Nigeria.
He commended the players for their dedication, resilience, and unwavering support for the sport, noting that they demonstrated the true spirit of badminton through sportsmanship, fair play, and a pursuit of excellence.
He said that the 4th Mutual Benefits National Badminton Championship marks a remarkable resurgence of the sport in Nigeria and a revival, long awaited since the last championship in 2019.
“Mutual Benefits commitment to sports aligns with our vision of promoting badminton as a unifying force, fostering a culture of healthy competition, and a inspiring future generations of athletes,” he said.
Responding, Opeyori expressed his gratitude to Mutual Benefits for sponsoring the tournament, especially considering the current economic challenges in the country.
He acknowledged the company’s support to badminton sports and its players.
He advised other companies and well-meaning Nigerians to also support the tournament to encourage the players and develop badminton as a viable sport.
Reports says that the 4th Mutual Benefits National Badminton Championship, which started on Nov. 29, has no fewer than 160 skilled Athletes from 27 States across the country.
The athletes re competing in various categories for the coveted fourth championship titles, ranking points in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles competitions. (NAN
The duo of Mariam Eniola Bolaji and Jeremiah Chigozie have qualified for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games coming up from 28th August to 8th September.
According to the Badminton World Federation, Multiple African Champion, Mariam Bolaji will represent Nigeria in the Women’s Singles Standing Lower 3 (SL3) while Jeremiah Chigozie represents Nigeria in the Men’s Singles Standing Lower 4 (SL4).
An elated Francis Orbih, President of Badminton Federation of Nigeria said the qualification of Mariam Bolaji and Jeremiah Chigozie is a testimony of hard work, consistency and perseverance.
Orbih who was full of joy revealed that Nigeria stands a good chance to make history by winning medals in para badminton in her debut appearance.
He said, “Today, history has been made as two players for the first time will be representing Nigeria in the para badminton event at the Paralympic Games. I am full of joy because the sacrifices of the players and the Federation were not in vain.
“Mariam Bolaji and Jeremiah Chigozie have consistently attended the African Championship winning gold medals in the singles and doubles events. Last month, Mariam Bolaji won two gold medals at the Spanish Internationals in Victoria and Toledo putting her in a better position to make it to the Paralympics; which has become a reality.
“With adequate camping, foreign tours and proper funding, I believe Nigeria will win a medal in the Para Badminton event when we make our debut this year”.
Orbih once again, called on well meaning individuals to support the Badminton Federation of Nigeria in ensuring the athletes get maximum support ahead of the Olympic/Paralympic Games in Paris next August.
He said, “I will not get tired of calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria and the private sector to key into our brand and give more support to the Badminton Federation of Nigeria. We have athletes who are marketable and will sell their brands to the world with their sterling performances”.
Mariam Eniola Bolaji shocked the world by winning her first gold medal at the Spanish Para badminton International 2021 beating Oksana Kozyna from Ukraine.
Bolaji won the women’s singles SL3 at the Uganda Para Badminton International 2023, All African Para Badminton Championship 2023 (Doubles and Mixed Doubles).
She won gold medals at the 5th Fazza Dubai Para Badminton International 2023, Egypt Para Badminton International 2024, World Para Badminton Championship 2024 in Thailand and Spanish Para Badminton International 2024.
Bolaji is also the first African player to be ranked among the top 10 in the BWF world rankings as she is currently ranked number 5 in the world.
Meanwhile, Jeremiah Chigozie won bronze medal at the Uganda Para Badminton International 2023 and three gold medals at African Para Badminton Championship 2023
He played a lesser number of championships compared to Eniola; playing in Egypt, Dubai, and World Championship in Thailand.
Chigozie got to the quarter finals in the men’s singles SL4 category in Thailand and currently ranked number 16 in the recent BWF para Badminton ranking.
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigeria’s table tennis pacesetter, Aruna Quadri, on winning the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Cup title.
Quadri achieved a resounding victory in the final match of the 2024 ITTF Africa Cup in Rwanda, reclaiming his title and sealing his place as Africa’s table tennis champion.
The President commended the table tennis star for his dogged pursuit of excellence even in the face of gnawing obstacles, declaring that the zeal for distinction, the hardiness to succeed, and the inventiveness to solve complex problems are the exceptional qualities that define Nigerians.
The President also noted the recent progress in the nation’s sports sector, with remarkable performances in the African Games, the Africa Cup of Nations, and the World Relay Championships, and emphasized that his administration will continue to foster the growth and development of sports in the country.
The Board of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Finidi George as Head Coach of the Senior Men National Football Team, the Super Eagles.
A statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, on Monday said the NFF approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Committee to appoint George.
Reports says that the ace winger spent 20 months as assistant to José Peseiro before the Portuguese voluntarily left the post after guiding the team to silver medal at AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.
George took charge of the squad in acting capacity during two friendly matches in Morocco last month.
His squad edged Ghana 2-1 in the first match, ending an 18-year winless streak against the Black Stars, but then lost 0-2 to Mali in the second game.
He was a member of the so-styled ‘Golden Generation’ that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Tunisia.
The team also emerged the second most entertaining team in Nigeria’s debut at the FIFA World Cup finals in USA the same year.
George won 62 caps for Nigeria, including featuring at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals. He also won gold, silver and bronze medals from the 1992, 1994, 2000 and 2002 AFCON tournaments.
The 52-year-old former Ajax Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and Real Betis (Spain) forward made a scoring debut for fatherland in an AFCON qualifying match against Burkina Faso at the National Stadium, Lagos, on July 27, 1991.
He also featured for Calabar Rovers and Sharks FC in the domestic scene before heading to Europe.
He assisted Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory) to score Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal against Bulgaria in Dallas, USA, on 19th June 1994.
George had actually scored the goal that took Nigeria to that FIFA World Cup debut, when he put Nigeria ahead against hosts Algeria in a crucial qualifier in Algiers on 8th October, 1993.
The match eventually ended 1-1 and earned Nigeria a ticket to the finals in America.
George’s immediate task will be to guide the Super Eagles to victory in two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic in Uyo and Abidjan respectively, in a little over five weeks.
The matches are must-win encounters, with the Super Eagles lagging behind in third place in Group C of the African campaign behind Rwanda and South Africa.(NAN)
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