Netballers mark Int’l Day of Sports Development & Peace in Yenogoa with students

As part of events marking the international Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) on April 6, Netballers held a threeteam netball open challenge event at the premises of Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenogoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

The event involved students from two secondary schools - Redeemers International School and Tare Pet Montessori School as well as the Sports Council All Stars Netball Team.

The guest of honour at the event was the Bayelsa State Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi.

The three netball teams were kitted by Lord’s Taverners, a UK based sports kits recycling NGO. The ambiance at the venue was balanced with peace, sports and music.

Since “PROJECT 2027” netball training event started in Nigeria in July 2022, this is the first time students with netball trained teachers/coaches are having an interschool event. Netball was re-introduced to Bayelsa State by CSED (Community Sport and Educational Development) Initiative in January 2023.

At the end of the matches, Tare Pet Montessori School emerged the winner of the event which was coordinated by Catherine Sasuode and powered by CSED Initiative.

During a post-event discussion with Catherine Sasuode, a Trustee of CSED Initiative stated that they will do all they can to use netball to empower the girl child in Bayelsa State.

This they hope to do by providing the teachers/netball coaches with access to safeguarding training, as well as access to other free online sports for change courses to broaden their knowledge and help them to nurture well rounded students and athletes.

CSED hope to build on their cordial relationship with the good people of Bayelsa state, by exploring the possibility of bringing badminton (“Shuttle Time”) training to Bayelsa state before the end of the third term of the ongoing school year.

Badminton Federation holds “Shuttle Time” training in Ogun State

Badminton Federation of Nigeria, BFN, held its “Shuttle Time” training held at Ilisan Community Town Hall, Ilisan-emo, Ogun State.

The two-day training held on 5th and 6th April.

The “Shuttle Time” training event is a catch them young training that is specially designed by World Badminton Federation (WBF) It is targeted at children and youths aged between 5 to 15 years old, with a view of introducing them to the game of badminton in a fun filled way.

The shuttle Time event is held in various locations in 150 countries. Apart from providing children their first access to play badminton, it aims at providing children and youths, the opportunities to lead a healthy and active life, in and out of school.

During a brief chat with the President of Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, he stated that holding this event in a rural area is particularly important to the BFN, whose goal is to take the game of badminton to the grassroots in Nigeria.

As he stated that doing so is the only way the current BFN Board can ensure that out of reach Nigerians will be able to have access to learn the basics of the game of badminton. Thus, expanding the talent pool that will be available for the BFN to nurture into future badminton stars.

The Shuttle Time training event at Ilisan which was held in partnership with the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology was powered by CSED (Community Sport and Educational Development) Initiative. CSED Initiative is currently the BFN grassroots partner. Students and P.E. Teachers from thirteen secondary schools in Ilisan, Abeokuta, Sagamu, Simawa, Iperu), Ikenne and Isanbi attended this event. Shuttle Time Nigeria Coordinator (Tajudeen Suleiman) trained the students and their Physical Education teachers in attendance; in the areas of fitness exercises and basic skills of the game of badminton, which the teachers are expected to later impact into other students in their schools.

The Shuttle Time event was specifically timed to hold by the BFN and the event organizers for 6th April 2023. A day that is set aside by the United Nations (UN) to celebrate the “International Day of Sports for Development and Peace” (IDSDP).

The training event was attended by Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) members and members of the badminton family in Nigeria, like Obiageli Solaja (BFN Events and Organising sub-committee chairperson), Mrs Onikopo Adebayo (Vice- Chairman, Ogun State Badminton Association), Adewale Olasukani, (Badminton Head Coach, Ogun State), Mrs Asagba Grace, (former African Badminton Champion), amongst others.At the end of the training event, basic badminton equipment (rackets, shuttlecocks and nets were presented to the students and teachers of the thirteen secondary schools.