A delegation from One Belt One Road Financial Project Operations office from the Peoples Republic of China headed by Mr Chen Wenying has paid a courtesy visit to the honourable Minister of Youth and Sports development.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Adesola Olusade, while receiving the delegation, extended the apologies of the Honourable Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung who was unavoidably absent. He also extended the gratitude and appreciation of the honourable Minister for the visit.

He thanked them for their interest in the developing of the sport of badminton in Nigeria while acknowledging the supremacy of China as the number one badminton playing nation in the world.

The Permanent Secretary, Mr Adesola, speaking on behalf of the Honourable Minister, promised the full support of the Sports ministry towards a successful partnership with a view to developing the game of badminton in Nigeria.

The Permanent Secretary informed the delegation that the democratization of the various sports federations by the Honourable Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung on assumption of office in 2015 had attracted people with genuine passion into sports.

He commended the President of the Badminton federation of Nigeria, Mr francis Orbih under whose leadership the game of badminton has been growing from strength to strength.

In his response, the leader of the delegation, Mr Chen reiterated their commitment to helping to fund the construction of a badminton gymnasium that will accommodate 10 courts and other facilities.

In his address, the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Mr Francis Orbih, informed the Permanent Secretary that the visit of the Chinese delegation was a follow up of his earlier visit on the invitation of Badminton federation of China.

According to Mr Orbih, he had whilst on his visit to China secured a memorandum of understanding for players training and a possible window for coaches training. He was also able to secure scholarships and sponsorship for two players who have qualified for the world championships in China.

The President of BFN was accompanied on the visit by, Mr Gabriel Gbayan(BFN board member and Chairman Technical sub-committee) and Ocholi Edicha( BFN board member/players Rep on the board) and former African Champion.

The Badminton Federation of Nigeria is expected to work with the Ministry’s technical department to come up with a design which the Chinese will take up and develop further.