Japan Donates Badminton Equipment to Boost Grassroots Devt in Nigeria
The Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) has received a major boost to its grassroots and elite development programmes following the donation of badminton equipment by the Badminton Association of Japan under the Sport for Tomorrow (SFT) initiative.
The presentation ceremony, which held in Abuja, highlighted the growing sporting partnership between Nigeria and Japan and attracted top dignitaries, including the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Ambassador Suzuki Hideo; Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko; Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade; President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr. Habu Gumel; Director General of the National Institute for Sports, Philip Shaibu; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Anthony Adegboye; and other distinguished guests.
In his remarks, Ambassador Suzuki Hideo described the donation as a symbol of the enduring friendship between Japan and Nigeria, noting that sport remains a powerful tool for promoting mutual understanding and international cooperation.
He explained that the donation forms part of the Japanese Government’s Sport for Tomorrow programme, an initiative designed to expand global sporting exchanges. According to him, the project was initiated through discussions between Francis Orbih, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria and Council Member of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), and Mitsuru Murai, President of the Badminton Association of Japan and a fellow BWF Council Member, while the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided support by covering the international transportation costs.
