The Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) recently organized its maiden “Shuttle Time” badminton training event at Ilisan Community Town Hall, Ilisan-Emo, Ogun State. The event was held on 5th and 6th April 2023. 

The Shuttle Time training event is a ‘catch them young’ training programme that is specially designed by World Badminton Federation (WBF) Shuttle Time, and is targeted at children and youths aged between 5 to 15 years old, with a view of introducing them to the game of badminton in a fun filled way.

The shuttle Time event is held in various locations in 150 countries. Apart from providing children their first access to play badminton, it aims at providing children and youths, the opportunities to lead a healthy and active life, in and out of school.

In a brief chat with journalists, President of Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, stated that holding this event in a rural area, is particularly important to the BFN, whose goal is to take the game of badminton to the grassroots in Nigeria.

He stated that doing so, is the only way the current BFN Board can ensure that out of reach Nigerians will be able to have access to learn the basics of the game of badminton. Thus, expanding the talent pool that will be available for the BFN to nurture into future badminton stars.

The Shuttle Time training event at Ilisan which was held in partnership with the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology was powered by CSED (Community Sport and Educational Development) Initiative. CSED Initiative is currently the BFN grassroots partner.

Students and PhysicalEducation teachers from 13 secondary schools in Ilisan, Abeokuta, Sagamu, Simawa, Iperu, Ikenne and Isanbi attended this event.

Shuttle Time Nigeria Coordinator, Tajudeen Suleiman, trained the students and their Physical Education teachers in attendance, in the areas of fitness exercises and basic skills of the game of badminton, which the teachers are expected to later impact into other students in their schools.

The Shuttle Time event was specifically timed to hold by the BFN and the event organizers for 6th April 2023. A day that is set aside by the United Nations (UN) to celebrate the “International Day of Sports for Development and Peace” (IDSDP). The training event was attended by Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) members and members of the badminton family in Nigeria, such as Obiageli Solaja (BFN Events and Organising sub-committee chairperson), Mrs Onikopo Adebayo (Vice- Chairman, Ogun State Badminton Association), Adewale Olasukani, (Badminton Head Coach, Ogun State), Mrs Asagba Grace, (former African Badminton Champion), amongst others.

At the end of the training event, basic badminton equipment, including rackets, shuttlecocks and nets,  were presented to the students and teachers of the thirteen secondary schools.