A serving house member representing Aguata Federal Constituency, Honorable Engineer Dominic Ifeanyichukwu Okafor, has expressed deep concerns over the growth of badminton in the Southeast region, while emphasizing the significance of financial and moral support.
The lawmaker, who is also the patron of the Anambra State Badminton Association, used the opportunity to call for more awareness and publicity through the various platforms. But he reaffirmed that the game is gradually on the rise
Speaking with newsmen shortly after his courtesy visit at the venue of this year’s Bet9ja Foundation Southeast tournament in Awka yesterday, Honorable Okafor commended the organizer for the program noting that this year’s edition has been impressive and exceptional.
Speaking, earlier, Imo State’s Queen Chibuzor, who is the women’s defending champion, admitted that the event has continued to improve the quality and standard of the players and the competition, stressing that she has worked so hard to reach the final.
In one of the day’s upset, an excited Victor Ozurumba (Imo State), says defeating the second best rated African player does not come easily, noting that the inclusion of para and wheelchair events will further create more competition.
The matches of the Day Two of the competition came with a lot of intrigues, suspense, and excitement. The men’s singles semi-finals held fans and supporters spell bound as they chanted, motivating the players.
The men’s second semi-final indeed stole the show, with Imo State’s Emeka emerging victorious against last year’s semifinalist Mmesoma (Enugu) in a gruelliing 2-1 sets of (28-30, 21-18, 21-16) that saw 45 minutes of intense action. The men’s defending champion, Jovita (Anambra), made a light walk-over of Chikamso (Enugu) in two straight sets.
For the female category, it was more of experience and exposure against youthfulness, with the 2025 champion, Queen (Imo) dominating the proceedings against Grace (Ebonyi) in two straight sets of 21-13, 21-9), while Blessing (Anambra) succumbed to Enugu’s Uju’s firepower also in two straight sets (15-21, 16-21).
In other results, Emmanuel, Daniel (Abia) lost against Nathaniel, Faith (9-21, 7-21)); Blessing, Patrick (Enugu) edged pass Chimaobi, Jacob (Imo) (21-13, 18-21, 21-6)); Chimaobi, Mmesoma (Enugu) put up a spirited performances against Chinedu, Nnamdi (Imo); while the experience combination of Jovita, Onwe (Anambra) out-played Enugu’s Gabriel, Victor in two straight sets of (21-10, 21-7), in doubles category.
For the mixed doubles, Ekene, Chioma (Anambra) defeated Chidera, Joana (Imo) (21-15, 21-16) similarly; George, Chioma (Anambra) edged pass Nnamdi, Mary (Imo) in two thrilling straight sets of (21-17, 21-18);, while Ebonyi’s Nathaniel, Grace lost toJohn, Blessing (Anambra)(21-14, 17-21, 19-21).
In the male para event, it was just a one way traffic as Obinna (Abia) dominated from start to finish against Eze (Abia) (21-12, 21-11); while the female category saw Chinyere (Enugu) hold forth against Goodness (Imo)) (21-8, 21-7).
Interestingly, the wheelchair men’s final event also produced another spectacular moment as Imo State ‘s Victor stunned one of Africa’s best players, Ohaeri (Abia) (21-14, 15-21, 21-16); while the female category witnessed Abia State’s Ijeoma displacing Emmaculata (Imo) (21-10, 21-10).
Meanwhile, the last day of competition promises to live up to expectations, as the finals of the male, female, doubles, mixed doubles as well as the veteran’s events will take center stage.
