Sports

Japanese Ambassador Presents 80 Badminton Rackets To The Federation

Published

4 years ago

June 22, 2021

Number 1 Ranked Badminton Nation in the world, Japan has promised its partnership with Nigeria to move the game of badminton to a greater height in the country.

Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi made this known on Tuesday while presenting 80 Badminton Rackets to the Nigeria Badminton Federation in the event that took place at the Gymnasium Hall of Package B of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

According to Matsunaga, the gesture will further promote the cordial relationship between the two countries, and as well as the development of badminton in Nigeria.

“I am happy and honoured to be at this special occasion today. This is my first public outing after my arrival in Nigeria over one month ago.”

“Sport is common language understood by all people in the world, Sports has the power to unite the world, today I handover 80 rackets donated by Nippon Badminton Association to the Badminton Federation of Nigeria. I hope it will promote the development of the game in Nigeria

Reacting to the rackets donation, Chairman of Caretaker Committee of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria Barrister Francis Orbih said the gesture will surely go a long way in the development of the game in Nigeria.

“As a federation we are very happy. It is a thing that gladdens the heart. To receive these rackets from the Japanese Badminton Association, it will make huge impact as you can’t play the game without the equipments.”

“And we are also looking forward to having more collaborative partnership from Japan as we move forward.”

Mr. Orbih further stated that efforts will be intensified to create more championships through the partnership.

“For players, no matter how much they train or prepare, if you don’t give them competitions to play, it’s like it comes to nothing, as a federation what we have been looking at is to give our players more championships. If we have championship from the Japanese Ambassador, it will be a big development.”

Also speaking, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee Abu Gummel expressed optimism that the gesture will enhance the performance of Nigeria Badminton players at the Olympics

“The Badminton Federation of Nigeria under the leadership of Francis Orbih is one of our federations that have made a lot of progress, they have done well, they are doing well. It is an important collaboration between Nigeria and Japan.”

“The racket you have collected is an equipment that you will take to Tokyo to do Nigeria proud because after 40 years, you qualified for the Olympics and I believe that it will make you to qualify more athletes for the Olympics Games in Paris in 2024.”

Three Nigerian badminton players, Godwin Oloufa, Anuoluwapo Opeyori and Dorcas Adesokan are the country’s representative at the Tokyo Olympics Games which will be held from July 24 to August 2, 2021.

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Sports

Tinubu’s aide Zulu, NIS DG, others to grace inaugural Phygital Championship in Lagos

Published

1 hour ago

January 23, 2025

The Gleamer

*Tinubu’s aide Zulu, NIS DG, others to grace inaugural Phygital Championship in Lagos *

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeyinka Adeboye, National Institute for Sports Director General, Professor Olawale Moronkola and Lagos State Football Association Vice Chairman, Dotun Coker are among dignitaries that that will grace the inaugural Phygital Championship scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the NIS Indoor Sports Hall, National Stadium Surulere, Lagos.

The groundbreaking event will feature 16 teams competing in the unique football discipline, featuring a hybrid of physical sports and the digital world known as ‘Phygital’, with the aim to represent Nigeria at the esteemed Games of the Future 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates later in the year. The milestone achievement marks a significant step forward in the integration of physical and digital sports in Nigeria.

The Phygital Nigeria Championship, overseen by World Phygital Community (WPC), will center on the sports discipline of phygital football, hosting 16 carefully selected teams.

Phygital football combines a 5 vs 5 soccer match with a PlayStation 5 football simulation, a thrilling two-stage soccer competition that will test the players skills on and off the pitch, creating a dynamic and engaging experience for participants and spectators alike.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Infinity Citizens Ltd, Jeremiah Adeniran, during a courtesy visit to the SSA, expressed his admiration for the innovative idea of phygital sports and encourage gamers, sports enthusiasts and stakeholders to embrace the revolutionary fusion of physical and digital sports.

“Imagine a world where boundaries between reality and virtual realms blur, where people from all walks of life come together to compete and thrive in the esports industry.

We’re talking about a fusion of innovative skills, both in real life and in the virtual world for a unique phygital experience,” Adeniran said.

While assuring Adeniran of support, the SSA said the Federal Government is happy with his (Adeniran’s) initiatives. He added that the Championship will not showcase the skills and innovation of the youths but will elevate Nigeria’s presence on the global phygital stage.

“The Federal Government is happy with what you have brought on board. This is the way to and we are going to support you all through. Our youths will be able to display their digital skills and put Nigeria on the global map. You have really done well and we commend you for this laudable effort,” Adeyinka said.

The upcoming Phygital Nigeria Championship promises to attract a diverse audience of gamers, sports enthusiasts and fans from across the nation, reinforcing the integration of traditional sports with digital gaming.

The winners of the Championship will earn the esteemed privilege of representing Nigeria on the global platform in Dubai showcasing the country’s exceptional talent within the realm of phygital football.

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