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FRANCIS ORBIH, NIGERIA’S BADMINTON CHIEFTAIN ASSURE OF GOOD SHOW IN CHINA
The president of the Badminton Federation of
Nigeria (BFN) Francis Orbih is supremely
confident the country would do well after Team Nigeria secured the sole ticket
to represent Africa at the Sudirman Cup slated for China next month.
Team Nigeria edged rivals Mauritius in a nervy
tie that ended in a 3-2 victory in the mixed team event of the ongoing All
Africa Senior Championships and will now represent the continent in the world
team event for the first time.
No African team has progressed beyond the first
round at the Sudirman Cup and Orbih insisted Nigeria would change the narrative
in China.
“We are not going to do well only in that
Championships, we want to change the narrative by representing Africa at the
world stage. I can assure you that we are going to do well in that tournament
we are not going to get knocked out in the first round,” he said.
National coach Benjamin Orakpo shared in his
boss’ sentiment, insisting that his players showed strength and prowess with
their performance against Mauritius in the final of the team event.
He said the team would move into camping shortly
after the ongoing tournament.
“We had not won this team event in a very
long time and now we have it, there is always a first time. I can assure you
that immediately after this tournament we are going into camping and prepare
hard for the championships. I am not saying we are going to win in China but we
are going to represent Africa very well,” he said.
Meanwhile, action continues in the individual
event of the All Africa Senior Championships as most of the big guns progressed
into the next round.
Godwin Olofua, seeded third, appeared to have
confronted the toughest opponent as he battled hard to beat enterprising Aalish
Lubah from Mauritius and moved to round 16 of the men’s singles.
Aanuoluwapo Opeyori also made it to the next
round with a comfortable 21-12, 21-15 win over Egypt’s Ahmed El Khateeb. Number
eight seeded player Temitope Bello also defeated Adel Hamel of Algeria while
Clement Krobakpor accounted for the ouster of number four seed Adham
Edgamel.
Round of 32 matches were still going on as at
press time.
The competition ends on Sunday.