Newly elected Badminton Federation of Nigeria President Francis Orbih has called for unity after he was sworn-in for a fresh term of four years in Abuja.
The lawyer who headed the federation from 2017 to 2021 in his first term and chaperoned the sports to a new height declared that the new board is committed and dedicated to lifting badminton to a new level.
He called on all to come together as one family.
“Its victory for Badminton in Nigeria as there is no victor no vanquish, Badminton is a game of Love, we are going to continue as one family.
He appealed to all stakeholders to come together for the growth and development of Badminton in Nigeria and beyond.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Youth and Sports on Thursday charged the newly elected board of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) to imbibe the spirit of teamwork to achieve its goals and objectives.
The Permanent Secretary Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar gave the charges shortly before the swearing in of the newly elected BFN board members.
According to him, following the expiration of the tenure of office for the 2017-2021 Boards, the processes for re-constituting the Boards, in line with the Olympic cycle and the National Sports Federation’s established Guidelines were activated, resulting in the conduct of elections for Board membership in each Sport, across the six Geo-Political Zones, and other Stakeholders.
“The election of the Board of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria was put on hold due to the Ministry’s respect for the Court injunction that was Instituted by some aggrieved Stakeholders, shortly before the 30 September, 2021 election.
“It is on a good note that the aggrieved Stakeholders have addressed the issues of concern and have jointly discontinued litigation in the Federal High Court, in the spirit of One-Sport-One Family, which the BFN has always been known for.
“This development necessitated the conduct of your peaceful election today by the same Electoral Committee, where winners have now emerged for the logical conclusion of the process which began in 2021.
“As President, Vice President and Members of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, the task of deepening the development of Sports, now rest squarely on your shoulders. Therefore, teamwork is key to achieving the Board’s goals and objectives.
“I salute the sheer sense of patriotism, with which each of you voluntarily contested to be part of this National assignment, which comes without any form of remuneration.
“I charge you all to be absolutely guided by the established processes, procedures and the Code of Governance of National Sports Federations in the discharge of your responsibilities. You are required to bring your BFN Constitution to be in consonance with the Ministry’s 2021 Code of Governance before the end of June, 2022
Other board members include; Mr. Lawal Yusuf Bello (North East) , Engr. Shehu Sulyman Warah (North Central), Mrs. Solaja Catherine Obiageli (South East) Mr. Tangbe Felix Awala South-South), Grace Gabriel (Athletes Reps), Esther Gidado (NAWIS), Tunde Kazeem (NAPHER-SD, Alhaji Malik Anas Sponsor/Philanthropist / Ex-Officio, Etuku TY Institutional Rep, George Shitta (Technical Rep).