Stakeholders in Badminton have called on government, individuals and corporate organisations to support in mentoring youth in Bauchi State to become professionals in the game.
Mr Yusuf Bello, the North East Regional representative in the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), made the call in an interview with newsmen on Sunday, in Bauchi.
He noted that mentorship was necessary to help the youth to grow and become the best version of themselves in the world of badminton.
“This may involve helping them to achieve their career goals in badminton and introducing them to new ways of thinking and challenges of badminton and its tournament.
“The youth have an interest in badminton. They have a bright future in badminton but that is only if we encourage these young talents.
“Therefore, we need to develop these young talents with planned programmes and training for future badminton players,” he said.
Bello who is a veteran and retired comptroller of customs urged stakeholders, government, philanthropist to support the development of badminton in the state, so as to produce world class champions.
“If they become world class, they will equally advance to becoming veterans,” he said.
He said that a tournament was organised to welcome him home after 35 years of service with Nigeria Custom Service.
“The competition was an avenue to bring all veterans to share experience and mentor younger ones that have passion for badminton,” he said.
Also, Mohammmed Bello, Chairman Association of Badminton in Nigeria (ABN) Bauchi State, said Badminton is widely accepted in the country.
He said youth in the state were passionate about the game of badminton, which they clearly demonstrated by making the state proud in recent tournaments in Edo and kwara states.
“Bauchi discovered a 15-year-old player that played like a veteran, doing wonders and won a medal for the state in Kwara, “Bello said.
He harped on the need for sponsorship of badminton competitions at the grassroots level in order to discover new talents in the country.
The chairman noted that badminton would keep the youth away from street troubles and chaotic situations, adding that sports have the capacity to keep them focused.
He, however, said that lack of adequate facilities and poor awareness are some of the challenges militating against the growth and development of the badminton game.
Bello called for a well structured national badminton league to discover and groom more players for the national teams.
He said that there were 20 badminton clubs in Bauchi alone, and over 80 registered Badminton clubs in the country, an indication of the wide acceptability of the game in Nigeria.
