Ogunsanwo, Obasami win South West badminton championship

The second edition of the annual South West badminton championship came to a successful end on Easter Sunday with a new champion emerging.

The three day championship held at the Indoor Sports of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere Lagos saw Emmanuel Ogunsanwo of Lagos State defeating the reigning Champion also from Lagos State, Daniel Christopher Ebonyi by two straight sets of 21-15, 21-19 to emerge winner in the male’s singles category just as Jumoke Obasami also of Lagos State defeated Dorcas Adesokun of Ogun State by 2-0 of 21-16, 21- 9 to emerge champion in the women’s singles final.

In the same vein, David Edun of Ogun State beat Israel Gbajobi also of Ogun State by 2-1 to emerge winner of the U-15 boy’s category while Omotayo Oguntayo of Ogun State defeated her compatriot, Salimat Ogunsola to win the girl’s category.

The men Doubles event was won by David Christopher Ebonyi and Abel Joseph who defeated Rowland Okunola and Amos Ohirame by 2-0 of 21-11 and 23-22.

Speaking at the event, Chairman Lagos State Badminton Association, John Duru Esq, while explaining that the championship was put together to further developed the racket game in the South West geopolitical zone of the country as well as for talent hunt, expressed happiness with the level of the competition even as he
commended Ogun State team for dominating the junior category.

“We organised this tournament inorder to discover new talents, expose them and develop the game of badminton in the South West and I’m happy with the performance of the players.

” To show you the importance of this championship, both the President of Badminton Federation of Nigeria and the national coach are all here because this championship serves as a breeding ground for future national team players

” As you can see, the defending champion was defeated in the finals by a fellow Lagos State team player which shows the level of the competition and unlike in the maiden edition where Lagos State carted away almost all the medals, Ogun State won all the junior categories in this year’s edition which serves as a wake up call to Lagos State.

Duru who stated that the successes recorded in the maiden edition made it possible for the continuation of the tournament, commended Lagos State Government, the State’s Sports Commission and it’s Director General as well as their sponsors for ensuring that the championship holds.

Also speaking, President of Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih praised the association for putting up such a tournament with an appeal to other geopolitical zones in the country to emulate Lagos State in the development of the game.

In a message he sent to the tournament, Director General of Lagos State Sports Commission, Olalekan Falodu commended the association for the championship, promising that the Commission will continue to ensure that sports is developed at the grassroots in the state.