BY: ABDULKADIR M LAWAN
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has flagged off a badminton competition, as a testament to the return of peace and security to the state.
The tournament, themed 'Peace has returned to Borno tournament,' aims to promote unity and reconciliation among the people of Borno State.
The flagging off ceremony took place on Wednesday at NUGA Hall, University of Maiduguri.
The governor who was represented by his deputy, Usman Mamman Kadafur said the badminton tournament provides an opportunity for young people to come together, engage in friendly competition, and showcase their talents, in a state that has witnessed tremendous progress in peace and security.
The competition will feature eight categories, with a total cash prize of N21,600,000.
Each category will receive N2.7 million in cash prizes, with the first and second-best players receiving N700,000 and N600,000, respectively.
Kadafur emphasized the significance of the tournament in showcasing the return of peace and security to the state.
'I want to appreciate my governor for supporting this tournament because it is going to unite Nigerians, and it shows how peace has returned to our state.
'What we want to do is to showcase the hospitality of our people, the peaceful nature of our state, and to also expose our younger ones, especially the badminton members, to showcase their talents,' he added.
The chairman of the state badminton club and local organising committee of the tournament, Adamu Alhaji Lawan, noted that the tournament is a celebration of the state's progress in achieving peace and security.
'The aims of the tournament are to achieve friendship among the youths through sports and challenge the upcoming generations to follow, in a state that has witnessed significant improvement in peace and security,' he said.
According to him, the tournament is one of the best so far in the history of Association of Badminton Clubs in Nigeria (ABCIN).
'As you can see is a very big one, it has never been done before. We are challenging any other state or any organization who is going to organize such a movement.
'So, we have set a precedent that I think it will take a long time for us to break, for anyone to break this record we are going to keep,' he explained.
While in his remarks, Imran Usman Jibrin, national chairman of ABCIN appreciated Gov. Zulum's support for the tournament and acknowledged the state's progress in achieving peace and security.
'We are proud to be part of this tournament, which showcases the return of peace and security to Borno State.
'We want the other state governments to emulate Gov. Zulum and organize this kind of tournament,' he said.
The tournament is expected to end on February 8, 2025.