Lagos – The second edition of the 2016 Zion Sports Development Programme which featured U-12 and U-15 Boys and Girls Badminton finals ended in Lagos on Wednesday on a successful note.
Emmanuel Akionla defeated Abayomi Anibaba in two straight sets of 21-9 and 21-9 to emerge the overall champion in the U-12 Boys category.
In the same vein, Modupe Sobade produced a brilliant performance to beat her elder sister, Mosunmola Sobade in two straight sets 21-4 and 21-19 to emerge the winner of the U-15 girls’ category.
An elated Dupe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that she was excited having defeated her sister who taught her the game of badminton.
“I was determined to beat my sister and I am happy to finally achieve it in this tournament. I want more tournaments of this nature to fulfill my ambition as a professional player,’’ Dupe said.
Meanwhile, Chukwka Michael outplayed Ucheka Chibuzor in two straight sets of 21-14 and 21-10 to emerge the overall champion in the U-15 boys’ category.
Michael told NAN that his ambition was to be the number one player at the senior level and he was determined to train hard and continue to play hard to achieve the goal.
“I am excited about this victory; I worked very hard for this and I look forward to continuing in badminton until I become the number one player at the senior category,’’ Michael said.
Chibuzor, who lost the final, said he was happy regardless of the loss because it was an achievement for him playing in the finals with so many other contestants.
Meanwhile, the sponsor of the competition, Buky Geoge, told NAN that she was delighted about the event which began on March 21 and ended with so much success recorded on March 23.
“It has been a wonderful competition, and I am delighted about the turnout and the level of performance by the young players.
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“Sincerely, we want more competitions of this nature to nurture the younger generations as they will be replacing the ageing senior players in no short time.
“We understand football is the most sponsored sport in the country; we hope we can have more sponsors to develop other games for the future of our children,’’ she said.
NAN reports that the event had no fewer than 80 participants from the ages of 11 to 15 competing in the championship at the Mobolaji Sports Centre, Yaba.
The event was watched by a large capacity crowd and received accolades from officials of the national badminton federation and the Lagos state sports Commission who were present.
The young players received several gift items from the sponsors, such as Badminton Racquets and sports wares/shoes.
Rachael Ogunbiyi received an award for her performance for being the most promising player of the competition. (NAN)