Doubles Dominate at Bet9ja Foundation Southeast Badminton Championship, Veteran Players Shine
Enugu, Nigeria – The Bet9ja Foundation Southeast Badminton Championship concluded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in enugu with a series of thrilling doubles matches and a compelling display of resilience from veteran players. The three-day tournament,featuring athletes from Abia,Anambra,Enugu,Ebonyi,and Imo States,showcased both emerging talent and seasoned competitors.
The day began with a commanding performance in the Men’s Doubles, as Anambra’s Jovita Anikwe – already crowned the men’s singles champion – and Owen Chidi defeated Enugu’s eya Chikamso and Nmesoma Udechukwu in straight sets (21-11, 21-17). Anikwe’s stamina and seamless partnership with Chidi proved too strong for their opponents.
Spectators were treated to a especially entertaining Women’s doubles final, were Abia state’s Queen Chibuzor and Okoro Chinyere triumphed over Enugu’s Uju Joy and ada Okoro. The winning pair’s quick reflexes, coordinated teamwork, and strong defensive play captivated the packed hall, earning them enthusiastic applause.
The Mixed Doubles final emerged as a highlight of the tournament. Emeka uzukwu and Queen Chibuzor (Abia) demonstrated exceptional chemistry and determination to overcome the experienced Anambra duo of Anikwe and Chioma Udeh. Their victory, secured under considerable pressure, was a testament to their skill and composure.
Beyond the open categories,the veteran division delivered a dramatic spectacle. Enugu’s Oramalu Peter and Ikedi Eze staged a remarkable comeback in their final match, battling back from a frist-set loss (15-21) to defeat Aka Francis and Emmanuel Aniakor with scores of 21-18 and 21-14. their strategic adjustments and unwavering composure resonated with the crowd.
tournament officials lauded the high caliber of play across all divisions, emphasizing the inspirational impact of the veteran competition. The Bet9ja Foundation received praise for it’s continued investment in badminton growth,providing crucial support for players of all ages and skill levels.
Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President Francis Orbih reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to growing the sport nationwide. He attributed Nigeria’s increasing success in African badminton to strategic, sustained efforts and expressed satisfaction with both the association and performance levels witnessed at the championship. “Events like this demonstrate the potential within the Southeast zone and the effectiveness of our developmental programs,” Orbih stated.
Keywords: Badminton, Southeast Badminton championship, Bet9ja Foundation, Nigeria, sports, Doubles, Veterans, BFN, Francis Orbih, Enugu.
