FCT Badminton Association Moves To Boost Game In Abuja

FCT Badminton Association Chairman, Mohammed Bappa

By: Gyang Dakwo

Badminton is set to assume greater heights in the Federal Capital Territory as the leadership of the FCT Badminton Association has revealed a robust agenda that is expected to popularize and uplift the game in the territory.

This move seeks to reinforce and maintain the place of the FCT as the hub of badminton in Nigeria. Currently the male and female as well as the mixed doubles National champions are from the FCT. Also majority of past national and international badminton stars started from the FCT.

In an exclusive interview with Abuja Digest, Chairman FCT Badminton Association, Rtd. Comptroller of Customs, Mohammed Usman Bappa said the policy thrust of the association is to promote and use the game as a platform for the development of the youth and society in general.

He stated that the association is working closely with the FCT sports department to ensure good results, adding that the association is mindful of the need to start its campaign from the grassroots level as it desires to take advantage of the “catch them young” philosophy. This he said will ensure that there is always a set of players ready to replace ageing and retired ones.

Top among the association’s plans for 2025 is a tournament which he said will start with mini championships at the Area Council level before culminating in the FCT Minister’s cup. He disclosed that as an incentive, the best player of the tournament will be guaranteed an international tour to a yet to be disclosed country. To this end the association has gone round the six Area Councils and interacted with badminton coaches.

“Badminton is doing very well in the FCT as you witnessed during the awards ceremony because there is no tournament we go to that we don’t come back with medals,” he said. “This is why we want to maintain it by bringing in experienced people and providing the much needed conditions like equipment and exposure to tournaments. That gives our athletes the opportunity to build confidence and stamina.”

Bappa however painted the true picture of the situation at hand where the lack of funds stands as a major threat to the execution of the association’s plans as well as overall development of the game in the territory.

“You see finance is the key thing in moving things, because there is nothing you can do without finance. Even the small ‘Shuttlecock’ that we normally buy for five or Six thousand Naira for a pack of six is now at Twenty Two thousand and a good racket which sold for Five thousand Naira is now around Ninety thousand.”

Consequently, he made an appeal to both the government and the private sector, notably corporate organisations to partner with the association in uplifting the game by assisting in the provision of equipment and logistics. This according to him will result in guaranteeing a bright future for the young players. He however quick to point out that the FCT Badminton Association is not primarily asking for money but rather asking for the necessary tools with which to excel.

“It is not the money we are after. All we want are the things that will help us to pursue our agenda of developing FCT Badminton. If these things can be provided then we will be satisfied. Presently we are working round to see how we can get the corporate sector to come in and partner with us in a mutually beneficial manner,” he stated.

On the recent awards given to medal winners by the FCT Administration, Bappa expressed deep appreciation to the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom and his team, saying it has made the association’s work easier with the motivation the awards provided.

When asked about the prospects of the FCT Badminton team at the forthcoming National Sports Festival, the chairman said the Team FCT is poised to maintain its leadership position in badminton.

His words: “FCT is the team to watch out for… we are the team to beat at the games.”