No fewer than 84 players from 15 States of the country will be participating in the maiden edition of LMK National U15 Badminton Championship holding in Ilorin this month.
This was revealed during the inauguration of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the competition which held at the Conference Room of the Kwara State Stadium Complex, in Ilorin yesterday.
Expressing his delight at the brief event, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Coach Bola Mogaji commended the Chief Executive Officer of LMK Sports Kit oufit and a veteran Badminton player, Abdulfatai Salaudeen for bankrolling the tournament.
Mogaji noted that the tournament will complement the efforts of the State government in the development of sports at the grassroots.
The Chairman of Kwara State Badminton Association, Hon. Suleiman Warrah, while inaugurating the LOC expressed confidence in their ability to deliver a worthy event, describing them as men of proven integrity and capacity.
In his own remarks, the CEO of LMK Sports outfit, Salaudeen noted that the idea of the championship was borne out of his desire to give back to the society.
“I would like to thank everyone for supporting me from the time we started planning till this moment. This is just my own little way of giving back to the society and also try as much as possible to discover more talents that will represent the state and country in the nearest future”.
The LMK Boss revealed that prizes, which includes cash and playing equipment will be given to the winners at end of the championship.
Speaking after their inauguration, the Chairman and a former Director of Sports in Kwara State, Mallam Tunde Kazeem pledged that the championship will be memorable and have a reflection of international standard.
Coach Kazeem, who is also the Technical Director of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), applauded the Chairman of the State Sports Commission for providing an enabling environment for the tournament, especially the provision of hostel for players and the Indoor Sports Hall for the game.
With Singles and Doubles event of the game expected to be on the card, the championship will commence on Thursday, August 25th through to Saturday 27th, and will involve male and female categories.