From Dan Amasingha, Minna

The Chairman of the Niger Badminton Association, Nma Kolo who is also Special Adviser Political and Strategy to Governor Mohammed Umar Bago organised a surprise civic reception in honour of two outstanding Badminton players for their sterling performance at the just concluded International Badminton championship hosted by Nigeria in Lagos.

The event which was organised in honour of a sensational teenage Badminton player, Shehu Saidu and silver medalist at the just concluded tournament, whose performances caught global attention and brought pride to the State. An overjoyed Nma Kolo, who is also the Jiwon Minna, explained exclusively to Daily Asset that the Association decided to honour the two players because they had written the name of Niger State Badminton Association in gold by their sheer brilliance and master stroke during the championship.He disclosed that 18 years old Aliyu Saidu mesmerized the Lagos fans with his sublime and master stroke to earn a place in the 32 best talents at the event.On his part, Aliyu Shehu powered all the way to the finals before gallantly losing to his Indian opponent in the final.”Let’s continue to celebrate our champions as they inspire a new level of Badminton in Niger state”The State Badminton boss, also used the occasion to announce the cash donation of 300,000 by a Sports enthusiast, Alhaji Ahmed Bello which he promptly directed should be shared among the Two State ambassadors.”A friend of mine, just walk in here this evening and within minutes was impressed with our efforts and gave a cash donation of 3000,000, I want it to be shared among the players while I will know what to do for the coaches, “He however, commended the coaches for their tireless efforts at nurturing budding talents to exceptional international success, and the Badminton board for their team efforts of taking the sport to the next level in the name.It will be recalled that, Alhaji Nma Kolo as he is popularly known in political and Sports circle engineered the construction of an ultramodern multi million Naira indoor Badminton complex with the state of the art facilities, thereby affording budding talents to be nurtured as it recently hosted the 1st Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago inter – Local Government Badminton championship.

Becky Danladi of TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja, on Saturday emerged overall winner of Africa’s first ever indoor golf championship in Abuja.

The championship which was organised by Olusegun Runsewe, the President of Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), had no fewer than 150 lady golfers participating at the Golf and Health Signature in Abuja.

Report says that Danladi clinched the championship overall prize after she returned a total gross score of 43.

She played off handicap 24 and returned a gross score of 14 and 29 in the indoor and outdoor event respectively which was the lowest total gross score of the championship.

She was closely followed by Tessy Johnson also of TYB IGRCC who grossed a total of 44 after returning 16 and 28 gross in the indoor and outdoor event respectively.

Staff Sergeant Maureen Apute, the Lady Captain of TYB IGRCC, overcame Nanwor Mamven of IBB International Golf and Country Club on count-backs to finish third.

This was after both players posted 15 and 32 gross in the indoor and outdoor event respectively for a total gross score of 47.

Susan Marcus also of TYB IGRCC completed the top five spot after she grossed 18 (indoor) and 30 (outdoor) for a total of 48 gross.

In the auxiliary prizes category, Maryam Atta-Bala of IBB IGCC won the prize for the nearest to the pin with a distance of 3 feet.

Marcus Susan of TYB IGRCC settled for the runner-up prize in the category with a distance of 4 feet.

The longest drive award went to Juliet Umolu of IBB IGCC with a distance of 278 metres, while IBB IGCC Grace Ihonvbere was awarded the prize for the best indoor score of 13 gross.

Dame Julie Donli, the Lady Captain of IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, won the prize for the best dressed lady golfer of the championship.

Runsewe told Newsmen that hosting the championship – the first ever in Africa, was a thing of joy and pride for Nigeria.

“I am so delighted to see that Nigeria is making another first. The indoor golf and short game is the first of its kind in the whole of Africa.

“As the giant of Africa, we must take the lead. We cannot sit down and be waiting for other African countries to show us the way.

“So, what we have succeeded to do here today is the beginning of greater things to come in terms of the growth and development of golf in the country.

“This is the way other advanced countries grew the game in their part of the world.

“They started well and early, and that’s exactly what we are also trying to achieve here at the Golf and Health Signature,” he said.

The NGF President said that the course would be a hub for the growth and development of young talents in a few years to come.

He said the talents discovered would represent the country in different circuits.

He stressed that there was a need to start early and very well with a course like what was obtainable at the Golf and Health Signature, if the country intends to get it right.

“You can’t carry a child of 10 to 12 years to just go on the 18-hole Golf course.

“They need to start from somewhere to understand that short games are the first and sure way to grow and develop their skills.

“Under my leadership as the NGF President, we’ve been able to showcase the best of Nigeria, in terms of golf.

“I can tell you that even the ladies, over 90 percent of them are playing indoor golf and short game for the first time. So, it’s a beginning.

“However, we have embraced it before other African countries and it is indeed a historic and monumental achievement,” he said. (NAN)

Mariam Bolaji of Nigeria early on Sunday in Paris advanced to the semi-finals in the para-badminton competition at the ongoing 2024 Paralympic Olympic Games in Paris.Report says that Bolaji beat Mandeep Kaur of India 21-8 21-9 in their quarter-final encounter in the women’s singles SL3 event.She will face Xiao Zuxian of China in the semi-finals later on Sunday afternoon for a place in the final.

Bolaji had on Thursday in the group play stage beaten Kaur 21-8 21-14 in a Group B match, while she had followed that up with another group win on Friday. Then she had beaten Celine Vinot of Australia 21-8 21-14 also to win the group and head into the last eight stage.(NAN)