Anuoluwapo Opeyori Wins Mutual Benefits National Badminton Champions Men’s Singles

Anuoluwapo Opeyori of Lagos has defeated Victor Ikechukwu of Rivers State by three sets to nil, 22 – 20; 19 – 21; 21 – 17 to win the Men’s Singles Final as the feat makes it the third time won the championship since its inception.
To reach the finals, Opeyori defeated Ibrahim Ahmed of Bauchi by two straight sets of 21 – 18; 21 – 16 while Victor Ikechukwu sent out Aliyu Shehu of Niger State 21 – 10; 21 – 17 in the semi-final battle
The Finals of the Men’s Doubles saw a repeat of the Men’s Singles between Lagos and the Rivers States as Lagos emerged victorious when the pairs of Anuoluwapo Opeyori and Daniel Christopher defeated Victor Ikechukwu and Emmanuel Joseph at 14 – 21; 21 – 19; 21 – 18.
The finalists had earlier defeated
Abdullahi Bala and Mubarak Salisu (Yobe) at 21 – 19; 21 – 12 and AbdulMalik Baba Ibrahim and Yinusa Momoh (FCT) at 21 – 13; 21 – 17 in the Men’s Doubles category Semi-Finals.
In the Women’s Singles final, it was all an Edo State affairs as the runner-up of the last Edition, Ruth Ebere defeated Deborah Ukeh 21-16; 21–19 to emerge winner of the 4th edition.
Ruth Ebere edged out the former national and African champion, Adesokan Dorcas at 21 – 9; 21 – 19 semi final while Deborah Ukeh defeated Sofiat Obanisola at 21 – 9; 21 – 14 to book a place in the Finals.
In the Women’s doubles Semi-Finals, Grace Gabriel & Ramatu Yakubu(FCT) defeated Ruth Ebere & Deborah Ukeh (Edo) at 21 – 14; 21 – 19 to advance to the Finals while Sofiat Obanisola and Zainab Alabi (Rivers) defeated
Adesokan Dorcas and Ilori Aminat(Ogun) at 24 – 22; 21 – 19 to complete the train.
Grace Gabriel & Ramatu Yakubu (FCT) won the Women’s Doubles Final defeating Sofiat Obanisola & Zainab Alabi (Rivers)at 21 – 16; 23 – 21.
The Finals of the Mixed Doubles category saw the emergence of Babatunde Ayomide and Adekunle Oluwaferanmi (Kwara) as winners after defeating Usman Qudus and Tiamiyu Salawat (Oyo) at 17 – 21; 21 – 18; 22 – 20.
Babatunde Ayomide & Adekunle Oluwaferanmi (Kwara) had earlier defeated Ganiyu Suleiman (Rivers) and Sunday Queen (Imo) 13 – 21; 24 – 22; 21 – 8 to advance to the Finals while Usman Qudus and Tiamiyu Salawat (Oyo) defeated Yinusa Momoh and Ramatu Yakubu (FCT) 21 – 18; 21 – 19.
In all, the report says the spirit of oneness and friendship could be felt in the air and the players could be seen with fellow players catching up on “long” periods of absence.
Officials of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria were on the ground to see to the flawless execution of the championship.
Matches were held in the various Events with some results predictable while some just heralded the “arrival” or return of some players.