NSC Chairman inaugurates new Orbih-led Badminton Board
Hails “hitch-free” election as victory for sports reform In a move to further solidify the stability of Nigerian sports governance, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu
Hails "hitch-free" election as victory for sports reform
In a move to further solidify the stability of Nigerian sports governance, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, officially inaugurated the newly elected Board of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) on Monday, March 2.
The ceremony, held in Abuja, marks the beginning of a new chapter for the federation following an election process described by the NSC leadership as a "seamless success."
Mallam Dikko emphasized that the smooth transition within the BFN is a direct reflection of the Commission’s commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate to revitalize national sports federations.
"This is another plus for the Commission. We have consistently delivered federation elections without rancour," Dikko stated. "The federations are the backbone of our mission. Our destinies are intertwined: if you succeed, we succeed. This is why everything we do is geared toward your success."
Addressing the 15-member board led by Barrister Francis Orbih, the Chairman noted that Orbih’s re-election is a testament to his previous performance. He specifically highlighted the importance of Nigeria’s presence in international sports politics.
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"You are involved in continental and global bodies; this is vital for the growth of badminton in Nigeria," Dikko noted. "I have always pushed for our administrators to engage at the global level. You owe it to the stakeholders who re-elected you to take this sport to the next level."
In a firm call for unity, the NSC Chairman urged stakeholders to settle disputes internally rather than airing grievances in the media, which can scare away corporate sponsors.
The Director-General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, expressed strong optimism regarding the board’s composition, praising the inclusion of members with proven track records.
"I see people here with a genuine passion for development," Olopade said. "That is the key ingredient for grassroots sports development, which is at the heart of the Commission’s agenda."
In his response, Barrister Francis Orbih acknowledged the weight of the task ahead. He credited the NSC’s recent support for the improved performance of national badminton teams and promised to build on that momentum.
"We are going to raise the bar," Orbih pledged. "The 'debt' mentioned by the Chairman—the debt to our athletes and the sport—is a weight I feel deeply. With the Commission's continued support, we will hit the ground running."
