Abubakar Isah Nigerian badminton’s future is very bright

What informed your decision to form the Abuja Badminton club?Before I answer your question, let me say my name is Abubkar Isah. I played badminton when I was a student in the university and when I came to Abuja, I continued playing for leisure. However, when I felt that there was no serious organisation of […]

What informed your decision to form the Abuja Badminton club?
Before I answer your question, let me say my name is Abubkar Isah. I played badminton when I was a student in the university and when I came to Abuja, I continued playing for leisure. However, when I felt that there was no serious organisation of the game at the national level, I decided to form the Abuja Badminton Club. It is a duly registered club whose vision and mission is to raise a platform for the training of talented youths in badminton and also provide the opportunity for veterans to keep playing the game. So what we do is to train the youths in the club, provide them with the necessary kits and sponsor them to attend tournaments. We are aiming to be the reservoir of talents for the national teams.
In concrete terms, what has the club done to help develop badminton in the FCT and Nigeria?
Last year we unveiled the club and also organised the kiddies academy. The training programme is still on our website. We also organised the maiden edition of Abuja closed tournament. In addition, we also partnered with FCT SWAN to organise a symposium. We are also hoping that this year we would organise another symposium with SWAN. The reason is that badminton is not getting mentioned because people don’t know much about it. It is not enjoying the required publicity. For instance not many people know that Africa number one female badminton player in singles is a Nigeria, Africa number one in men singles is a Nigeria, Africa number one in doubles is Nigeria. We have been ruling African badminton for the last five years but people don’t seem to know. This is what we are trying to let people know by collaborating with SWAN and other relevant bodies.
What is your assessment of the present leadership of the badminton federation of Nigeria?
I think the federation needs to do more. In my candid opinion, the federation has not been able to market its product. It has not been able to advertise its product and so naturally, people will not know about it. There is dearth of information so most people don’t know what the federation is doing to develop the game. Furthermore, the federation should do more in the area of tournaments. There are hardly tournaments that would help develop the players.
 I do not want to go so deep into this but I think the federation can do more.
From what you have said, would you say the future of Nigerian badminton is bright?
I can tell you with confidence that the future of the game is still very bright. It is will be amazing to know that veterans like us are quite plenty and eager to support the sport in every way possible. We also have so many kids that are talented in the game and are willing to play. So if we are able to marry the two, we would continue to excel in badminton. Those who are veterans should support the game with funds and encouragement so that these young ones can have the necessary tools and incentives to play. So I can say the game has a huge future in Nigeria.
Still talking about the future of the sport in Nigeria, how far have you gone with the kiddies programme?
When the Abuja badminton club’s Kiddies programme started, the response was encouraging. Unfortunately, we have not done it again partly due to logistics. However, we are finalising on some things for us to have kiddies weekend activities at the national stadium. One of our major challenges has been venue. We are currently in Mambilla barracks but with the current security challenges, we also appreciate that we cannot just get anybody into the barracks. We are making arrangements to have access to indoor sports hall of the Abuja national stadium so that we can continue with the kiddies programme there.
Recently, a US based badminton equipment manufacturing company, Ashaway, supplied Nigerian badminton players with kits. How did this come about?
Yeah, as a matter of fact, part of the challenges of the game of badminton anywhere in Nigeria is having access to the equipments and kits. An average badminton racket cost in the neighbourhood of N18,000 to N20,000. A quality badminton dress will cost another N10,000. So at a stage we felt we should help in this direction. Abuja Badminton Club has a synergy with Ashaway for us to market their products in Nigeria. And recently, the company entered into contract with two Nigerian male badminton players who are the best in Africa. They provided them with complete playing kits for a year to support them to maintain their leading position. It is a two way thing. While Ashaway is willing to sponsor them, the badminton federation will have to sponsor them to attend tournaments for them to maintain that position. If they do not attend tournaments and they drop, Ashaway will look elsewhere for players to sponsor. So it is two ways thing.
Considering your passion for the game, are you thinking of leading the Badminton Federation of Nigeria in future?
I am not a politician so I do not know the politics involved but what I know and wish to do is manage the Abuja Badminton club very well and make it a role model. I want it to grow into a standard badminton club in Nigeria. I will use my business contacts and friends to be able to get sponsorships so that players from my club would be able to attend international tournaments. However, if along the line the badminton family feels I am worthy to be part of it, why not. It is something I am not ruling out but my eyes are not on it. My contributions are borne out of my passion for the sport.