Badminton Umpire and Chairman, Umpire Association of Nigeria (UAN), Mr Kehinde Yunus Jimoh has rated the facilities for the game at the Steven Keshi Stadium, Asaba, very high.
He also stated that the sport will be keenly contested this year at the National Youths Games (NYG), given the increase in the number of athletes for each state this year.
“Unlike in the previous edition where states were given two athletes in male and female categories respectively, we now have them in threes.
“So we have three males and three females; so it gives room for single, double and mixed double. Before now, you can play only single and double,” he said.
As far as organisation and standards, the umpire who is also a coach said that he has been impressed so far.
“Based on my interactions with state coaches here, they said they have four courts here. If it is really so then it’s a big plus.
“We just played National Sports Festival last year, we made use of the same facility we have here.
“There were four courts and if the standards are still the same, then we have world class standards,” he said.
He further stated that officiating will follow strictly the Badminton World Federation, BWF.
“One thing is clear, the role of any referee in any tournament is to be very neutral and to ensure that players follow the rules and regulations about a game being played.
“As far as far as this game is concerned, we must follow the BWF rules as clearly spelt out in conjunction with BFN, the local body,” he said.
