Confluence Badminton Club Wins Mixed Doubles, Men’s Doubles in second edition of Kogi State Championship
Confluence Badminton club has won the mixed doubles and Men’s doubles in the second edition of Kogi State Badminton Championship 2025.
The championship, which was played at the badminton court, NIWA restaurant in Lokoja between 21st-22nd February 2025 featured mixed doubles, Women doubles, Men’s doubles 56+, Men’s doubles 46-55 and Men’s doubles 35-45.
Joseph and Martha of Confluence Badminton club defeated Mohammed and Meme (KANTOMA Badminton Club), John Adabo, Machan Mercy (Friendship Badminton Club), and Emma, Comfort, (Force Headquarters) to emerge victors in the mixed doubles.
In the Women’s doubles, Endurance and Hamat from Team ZUMA Badminton Club of Suleija Niger State came first to defeat their opponent Grace, Queen, (Confluence Badmiton Club), Ketu, Mary (MMBC) and Janet, Jennifer (MBBC) who all emerged second, third and fourth respectively.
Hon. Ibrahim Audi, Shedrack of AKUM Badminton Club Niger State came first in the Men Doubles 56+ to defeat their opponents Hon. Jibrin Jega, (Zuma BC), Ali Hamza, Dr Alhassan, (Antau BC) and Azare, Compt. Yusuf (MPBC) who all emerged as second, third and fourth respectively.
For the Men doubles 46-55, Musa and Peter from Confluence Badminton Club Kogi State emerged victors in this category. They both knocked out Danasebe and Kolo of Niger Shuttle Strikers badminton club, Boss, Gabriel, (MPBC), and Muritala, Umar, (Team Kaduna).
Another great shocker in this year championship is that in the Men’s doubles 35-45, were Aminu and James (KANTOMA badminton club Niger State) defeated Anache and Shehu, (Niger Shuttle Strikers badminton club), Abubakar Sadiq, Fatai (Warriors badminton club) and Abdul, Taye, (Niger Shuttle Strikers badminton club) to emerge champion of this category.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the competition, the Kogi State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon. Monday Anyebe
expressed satisfaction with the outcome of this years competition.
Anyebe thanked the organizers for the important tournament adding that the second edition of confluence badminton championship is highly commendable.
“Confluence Badminton Club” has given birth to a state where such tournament are now constantly held. I must commend the organizers for it” he stated.
He traced leadership problem as one of the reasons badminton is yet to get all the desired attention in Nigeria pointing out that, with the current people handling the association, there will be improvement.
The Commissioner argued that Kogi State is working so hard to ensure the State produce athletes that would represent Nigeria in international competitions.
The captain of Confluence Badminton club Kogi State who doubles as the organizer of the tournament Dr ASHRAFF ABDULHAKEEM also scored the outcome of this year competition high.
His words “The thing that is constant is change. For us, this is what we have always pushed. Last year, we held this same competition and this year, we are hosting it again and we thank God that it was a huge success which is an improvement from what we had last year.
“As you can see, it was spicy and entertaining. We hope to improve as we go further. Obviously, it is going to be a yearly event as we go further, we intend to improve on it. Am confident and happy that this was a success”.
Ashraff admonished government and all stakeholders to invest massive in young players to replace the senior players.
“On our own, we intend to make confluence badminton club favourable to athletes to come and play. We have been announcing that all players should come around to showcase their talents. Confluence Badminton Club, Kogi State will keep bringing in youngers players to replace the senior ones. Once a while, we invite the Senior one’s from other States including indigenes to promote and encourage those that are coming up.
He expressed satisfaction with the development of badminton in Nigeria.
Continuing, he said “The Badminton federation of Nigeria ( BFN ) is doing all it can to ensure that the game is promoted in the Country. Recently, there was an international senior competition and Nigeria emerged winner.
“Anu Opeyori won the male singles category. He has won this category five times consecutively. As far I am concerned, the badminton federation of Nigeria is trying their best. Am appealing to the Government at all levels, and Stakeholders to support the badminton federation of Nigeria to ensure multiple talents like Anu Opeyori are produced to represent Nigeria in the international competitions”.
A total of 178 players participated in the 2025 Confluence Badminton Championship held in Lokoja Kogi State.
