By Ugo Okeiyi, Enugu

Three-time Southeast Zonal Badminton Champion, Jovita Anakwe, says continuous investment in badminton development across the region is crucial to sustaining the growing competitiveness of the sport.

Speaking on Friday at the Bet9ja Southeast Zonal Badminton Championship at the Indoor Sports Multipurpose Gymnasium Hall of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, the Enugu-born star described each edition of the tournament as “highly competitive and exciting,” crediting the quality of players drawn from across the zone.

Anakwe, who has won all three editions of the championship since its inception in 2022, expressed confidence in retaining his title but admitted the task gets tougher every year.

“It has never been easy, but I remain optimistic. The competition keeps getting stronger because we have very talented players in the Southeast,” said the national No. 3 and world No. 400 mixed doubles player.

He appealed to authorities and relevant stakeholders to support badminton more actively, insisting that the Southeast has the potential “to take the world by storm” if given the right backing.

His wife, Favour Anakwe, who was present at the venue, spoke glowingly about her husband’s passion for the sport. She stressed the need for more tournaments within the zone to keep athletes in top form ahead of national and international engagements.

The Bet9ja Foundation–sponsored championship features players, coaches and officials from the five Southeastern states — Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo — competing for honours.

Anakwe began his title defence in impressive fashion, defeating Bright Ozoani of Enugu 21–15, 21–17, before beating Emeka Uzukwu of Abia 21–18 to advance to the next round.

By Dan Onwuegbuna

The 4th edition of the South-East Badminton Championship has begun at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu — but beyond the rallies and smashes, the tournament reflects the personal mission of one woman: former Olympian, Mrs. Obiageli Edoga Solaja.

Solaja, the South-East representative on the board of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), is the driving force behind the championship.

 For her, the three-day event featuring players from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states is more than a competition; it is a deliberate effort to revive a sport she fears is fading in the region that once nurtured her.

A product of Queens School, Enugu — where she was discovered in Form 3 and began her rise to the national team — Solaja went on to represent Nigeria at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics before retiring from competitive play. Returning home years later, she said she was shocked by what she found.

“By the time I came back, I discovered that badminton was almost dead in the South-East,” she told journalists. “Having achieved so much, I felt it was time to discover more Obys, more talents, and nurture already discovered talents.”

That realisation, she said, birthed her “pet project”: the South-East Badminton Championship. The goal is simple but ambitious — to expose, develop and elevate young badminton players across the region.

“We are starting the 4th edition of the South-East Badminton Championship in Enugu for the five South-East states from Thursday, 20th to Saturday, 22nd November, 2025,” she explained. “We have had three editions before — two in Enugu and one in Imo — and this one makes it the third in Enugu State.”

Solaja believes that without consistent competitions, budding talent will continue to wither. Her tournament therefore fills a gap she considers critical: regular, structured, competitive play for men, women and veterans.

The championship, holding at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, runs from November 20 to 22. But for Solaja, its impact is intended to last much longer — by rebuilding a badminton culture in the South-East and inspiring the next generation to follow the path she once walked.

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The city of Enugu is agog as the 2025 Bet9ja Southeast Badminton Championship officially serves off at the indoor sports hall of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

The annual regional tournament, powered by Bet9ja Foundation, brings together players from the five eastern states for three days of thrilling action from Thursday to Saturday.

Now in its third consecutive year since debuting in 2022, the championship continues to grow as a key platform for talent discovery and sports development in the Southeast. The tournament features senior men’s and women’s categories, as well as a veterans’ class, further expanding its reach and competitiveness.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Adaobi Cuomo, Vice Chairman of the Bet9ja Foundation, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to advancing grassroots sports across Nigeria.

“We are committed to this as it is part of our cardinal programmes,” she said. “The Bet9ja Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of Nigerians across the country through initiatives that address the unique needs of diverse communities. Sports development is a core pillar of our mission.”

She added that the championship is one of many projects undertaken by the Foundation to provide access to quality healthcare, support education, drive community development, and empower young people.

In her remarks, Yetunde Osunnuga, Bet9ja’s Agents Liaison Officer, highlighted the Foundation’s national footprint.

“At the moment, the Foundation has 160 projects across more than 31 states, impacting 150 communities with an investment exceeding ₦587 million,” she disclosed.

The Bet9ja Southeast Badminton Championship is already producing remarkable outcomes. One standout is Jeremiah Chigozie, a physically challenged athlete who polished his skills at the second edition of the championship. His rise culminated in a historic appearance at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, where he defeated Germany’s Marcel Adam in straight sets of 21–12, 21–15 in a 28-minute match — making him the first Nigerian male badminton player to compete at the global event.

Chigozie returns for this fourth edition, joining a list of top stars to watch. Also returning are women’s singles champions from previous editions — Anambra’s Jovita Anakwe and Queen Chibuzor, who now represent Abia State — both competing with renewed vigour.

The Bet9ja Foundation continues to strengthen its footprint in sports development, and this championship remains a beacon of opportunity and excellence for athletes across the Southeast.

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