BY JACOBS OLAWALE OLANREWAJU
Winners across all categories received badminton equipment, medals, cash prizes and trophies, celebrating their outstanding performances.
The three-day championship featured over 40 players and five coaches from Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo States.
Organised by the Southeast Badminton Outreach, a pet project by former African badminton queen, Obiageli Solaja in collaboration with the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) and the Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, the event was proudly sponsored by the Bet9ja Foundation, continuing its commitment to grassroots sports development.
The 2024 edition once again cemented the Bet9ja Southeast Badminton Championship as the region’s premier platform for talent discovery and competitive excellence.
Meanwhile, the veteran category of the Bet9ja Foundation Southeast Badminton Championship delivered some of the most thrilling moments of the tournament, as seasoned players showcased experience, endurance and exceptional sportsmanship at the Indoor Sports Multipurpose Gymnasium Hall of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
In one of the standout matches of the final day, Enugu duo Oramalu Peter and Ikedi Eze staged a dramatic comeback to defeat the formidable pair of Aka Francis and Emmanuel Aniakor. After losing the first set 15–21, the Enugu veterans regrouped impressively, altering their strategy and displaying remarkable composure to take the next two sets 21–18 and 21–14.
The match drew loud applause and cheers from spectators who were delighted by the intensity and competitive spirit displayed by both sides. For many fans, the veterans’ performance was a reminder that skill, experience and determination remain powerful forces in the sport.
Tournament officials praised the quality of play witnessed in the veteran category, noting that it added colour, excitement and inspiration to the three-day championship, which featured players from Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo States.
The Bet9ja Foundation, sponsors of the championship, has continued to invest in badminton development across the region, ensuring that both young talents and veteran players have a platform to showcase their abilities.
As the curtains fall on this year’s edition, the veterans’ spirited duel remains one of the memorable highlights—proof that passion for badminton transcends age and continues to unite players across generations.
