The Director of Sports Development for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Luka Istifanus, envisions a bright future for badminton in the nation’s capital, following the commendable programmes initiated by the FCT Badminton Board to develop the sport at the grassroots level.
He made the remark when the board of FCT Badminton Association, led by its chairman, Comptroller Mohammed Usman Bappa (Rtd), paid him a courtesy visit at his office yesterday in Abuja.
Luka praised the association for its unwavering commitment to the development of the sport, particularly for consistently representing the FCT with pride at national competitions.
“I would like to thank you for coming. This brings me great joy. We have been collaborating and will continue to do so.
“Badminton is a sport that I hold very dear to my heart. The reason is simple: you have always brought joy to the FCT whenever we participate in competitions. Like some other sports, you have continued to make us proud, and I can only encourage you to keep it up and strive for more,” Luka stated.
He assured the board of the FCT Sports Administration of his support, saying, “Let us take this opportunity to assure you of our 100% support towards your programmes, ideas, and initiatives. You have no cause for concern. The FCT Sports Department is firmly behind you every step of the way. Please do not hesitate to approach us, as we are always here to help, assist, and even partner with you.”
Earlier, the chairman of the FCT Badminton Association, Comptroller Mohammed Usman Bappa (Rtd), outlined the commendable programmes of the FCT Badminton Board aimed at the continuous development of the sport at the grassroots level. These include the “Catch Them Young” scouting initiative and the organisation of various categories of tournaments, ranging from the grassroots to elite levels, to discover and nurture talent for podium success for both the FCT and Nigeria as a whole.
He also highlighted plans to host prestigious badminton tournaments across the FCT Area Councils this year, which will serve as a platform to scout, nurture, prepare, and discover talent ahead of the National Sports Festivals and the Youth Games 2025.
“We have been meeting and working tirelessly to promote badminton in the FCT, as it has always been under our late chairman, Mr. Gabriel Gbayan. He is a role model, and we are determined to keep the flag flying.”
“We have over 40 badminton clubs in the FCT, all performing admirably, I must say. What we are doing, and will continue to do, is bring these clubs together in competitions to discover and harness raw talent that will not only make the FCT proud but our country, Nigeria, as a whole.”
“In addition to other initiatives that we, as the FCT Badminton Board, are considering, we are already discussing the idea of implementing a periodic tournament plan that will cover all categories and age groups. This initiative aims to introduce badminton into our educational institutions, especially primary and secondary schools, to engage young people and nurture their potential,” Bappa concluded.
Comptroller Mohammed Usman Bappa previously served as the vice chairman of the FCT Badminton Association under the leadership of the late Mr. Gabriel Gbayan before his untimely passing.
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