Three-time Southeast Zonal Badminton Champion Jovita Anakwe has hinted on the significance of improving and developing the sport in the region, admitting that every edition of the championship has been competitive and exciting due the quality and caliber of players participating.

The Enugu born badmintoon sensation, who has emerged tops in all the editions of championship since its inception in 2022 in Enugu, has expressed immense optimism of the retaining the title, hinting that attaining such feat has not been quite easy.

Anakwe made this statement today, during the Bet9ja Southeast Zonal Badminton Championship, at the Indoor Sports Multipurpose Gymnasium Hall of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, today.

The player who is ranked number three and 400th in the Mixed doubles category at the national and international level, has called on the Authorities and relevant stakeholders to throw their weight behind the sport, reiterating that the zone has the potential to take the world by storm.

A visibly cheerful and elegant wife of Jovita Anakwe, Favour, who spoke extensively about her husband’s passion and admiration of the game, is of the opinion that there need to organize more tournaments in the zone so as to keep the players fit and ready for subsequent championships.

The competition which is sponsored by Bet9ja Foundation, witnessed the players, coaches and officials from the five Southeastern states of Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo contesting for the ultimate prize.

To this end, Anakwe, began his title defence today on a brighter note defeating Bright Ozoani (Enugu) and Emeka Uzukwu (Abia) (21-15, 21-17) and (21-18).