ESAN – The Francis Ibhawoh Foundation recently concluded a two-day badminton outreach training for secondary school game masters and mistresses in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Held on January 22 and 23, 2025, at the indoor hall of Esan Model Grammar School, the programme was organised in collaboration with the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Edo State Ministry of Education, and Edo State Sports Commission. It was powered by the Community Sport and Educational Development (CSED) Initiative.
Physical Education teachers from 23 secondary schools, along with 69 students, participated in the training. The participants were taught the fundamentals of badminton under the guidance of three “Shuttle Time”-certified coaches: Godswill Ifejika, Olalekan Fajimiyo, and Blessing Osayomwanbo.
The outreach programme is part of efforts to develop grassroots badminton by equipping both teachers and students with basic skills in the sport. Ambrose Okonofua, the games master of Irrua Girls Secondary School, described the training as impactful, expressing confidence in its potential to produce future world champions.
Coach Olalekan Fajimiyo praised the schools for their enthusiastic participation, noting the event’s impressive turnout.
The programme’s conclusion was marked by a speech from the Edo State Commissioner of Education, represented by the Principal of Ujoelen Grammar School, Ekpoma. She commended the sponsors for their dedication to badminton development in Edo State and acknowledged the state’s reputation as Nigeria’s sports hub.
As a gesture of support, the Francis Ibhawoh Foundation and CSED Initiative presented badminton equipment, including rackets, nets, and shuttles, to the participating schools.
The outreach aligns with BFN’s ongoing efforts to promote badminton across Nigeria through initiatives like Shuttle Time training, which has brought the sport to various communities, including IDP camps and refugee centres in Ogoja, Cross River State.
