BY ORI MARTINS
The second edition of the Bet9ja South East Senior Zonal Badminton Championship held in Owerri, the Imo State capital has ended.
Anambra State’s Jovita Anieke Chisom who was the defending champion still retained his crown as he emerged the winner in the male category.
Male category winner Jovita Aniekwe Chisom, Anambra, in a group photo with Imo State director of sports, Ferdinand Emeana, (right) and South East badminton board representative, Oby Solaja.
Another defending champion in the female category, Queen Chibuzor Sunday of Imo State, just like her male counterpart, equally defended the title she won in Enugu last year.
In the male event, Chikamso Franklin Eya from Enugu and Imo’s Ikechukwu Nwanguma finished second and third positions respectively.
The medals table in the female event did not look any different as it was still Edith Chidolue of Enugu and Oluchi Ozurumba that got the silver and bronze medals accordingly.
In his speech at the end of the two day championship, the Imo State director of sports, Mr Fernand Emeana, thanked championship sponsors, bet9ja for its support and encouragement.
He also lauded the South East representative on the board of the Badminton Association of Nigeria, Mrs Oby Solaja for effective representation.
Emeana commended South East badminton players, coaches and officials for their resilience, professionalism and dedication. The male category winner, Aniekwe, pledged to do better in future competitions both within and outside Nigeria.
On the other hand, Sunday, who was bedecked gold medal in the women category, assured that with sponsors like bet9ja she would continue to fly successfully.
The prize money at stake was Seven Hundred And Seventy Naira (N770,000) only.
The championship events competed for were Men’s Singles,
Women’s Singles,Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles .
