The Edo State Badminton Association in partnership with the Badminton Federation (BFN) of Nigeria, Edo State Sports Commission and the Edo State Ministry of Education, recently held a two-day badminton ‘Shuttle Time’ training event at the indoor sports Complex Etete, Benin City, Edo State.
The training event which was attended by 27 Physical Education teachers and 54 primary and secondary school students was powered by CSED (Community Sports and Educational Development) Initiative.
Shuttle Time is a grassroots badminton programme that is designed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) that aim at introducing badminton to school students and the wider community. This unique training programme provides students, teachers and community leaders the opportunity to learn the basics of the game together, in a fun filled environment.
A feature of the training is the use of small balloons to teach the participants hand-eye coordination.The training event in Benin City was facilitated by the Shuttle Time Coordinator for Nigeria, Taju Suleiman, and he was supported by coaches Olalekan Oteghekpen Fajimiyo and Osayomwanbo Blessing Ehiorobo of the Edo State Sports Commission. The vice-chairman of Edo State Badminton Federation, Mrs Amaka Onwuka, represented the chairman of Edo State Badminton Association, Mr Onome Obruthe. While the chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission was represented by Mrs Lilet Oyebade (secretary of Edo State Badminton Association).
At the end of the training event, Mrs Amaka Onwuka, presented 100 badminton rackets, 20 badminton nets and some badminton shuttlecocks to the teachers, which they are expected to use in introducing badminton to their students in their respective schools.
Mrs Amaka Onwuka urged the teachers and students to make good use of the badminton equipment that was freely provided by CSED Initiative, as part of their two years’ grassroots development partnership with the Badminton Federation of Nigeria.
