Lagos Repeats Festival Feat, Dominates  Wike Badminton Tourney In Port Harcourt

Lagos State’s dominance in Nigerian badminton once again cane into the limelight when its players won a national championship in Port Harcourt, Rivers State at the weekend.

Top seeds, Anuoluwapo Opeyori and Godwin Olofua, both of Lagos state, were cynosure of all eyes in the men’s final of the just concluded first edition of the Rivers Governor’s Badminton Championship.

Opeyori defeated doubles partner and friend, Godwin Olofua 2-0 (22-20, 21-17) to win the gold medal of the men’s singles and a prize money of N.3m, while Olofua settled for silver.

Both Opeyori and Olofua played the final of the badminton event of the recently held 19th National Sports Festival, winning gold and silver medals of the Abuja Games respectively. It was no surprise, however, seen the two players repeating the festival feat in Port Harcourt at the Governor Nyesom Wike Tourney.

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Banigo Harry who represented Governor Nyesom Wike poured encomiums on the Lagos players and other winners, saying that the government’s commitment to the development of badminton in the country would continue.

Dorcas Adesokan beat Deborah Ukeh 2-1 (21-14, 18-21, 21-17) in the Women’s category and also took home N300, 000.

In the Mixed doubles, the pair of Enejoh Abah and Peace Orji beat Yunusa Momoh and Ramatu Yakubu 2-0 (21-17, 21-6) to pick the top prize. In the men’s doubles Jimka Ifraimu and Ola Fagbemi beat Clement Korobakpo and Isaac Minaphee 2-1 (20-22, 17-21, 23-21).