Surprise Awaiting Badminton Players who made Niger Proud at NSF – Nma Kolo .
The Special Adviser on Political Matters and Chairman of the Niger State Badminton Association, Hon. Muhammad Nma Kolo, expressed his excitement over the gold medal achievement of the state’s badminton players at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Ogun State.
He announced that a special surprise awaits the players upon their return for making the state proud.
In an interview during a live radio sports program on Monday night, Nma Kolo, who recently celebrated his 59th birthday, said, “They presented me with a befitting birthday present.”
He expressed satisfaction with the badminton players’ performance, highlighting their gold medal win in the men’s doubles event, as well as a silver and bronze medal at the festival, which he deemed outstanding.
He noted that the significant investment made by the State Badminton Association, which included the construction of one of the most ultramodern indoor badminton courts in the country, has not gone unnoticed.
“Today I am a happy man because our ‘Catch Them Young’ program from the grassroots has started yielding results, and everyone can now attest to it.”
“Trust me, I have a surprise package for our sporting heroes as soon as they return from Ogun State. The board and I will host them to a special reception in our own way to appreciate their gallant efforts,” he promised.
Nma Kolo stressed that the government alone cannot fund sporting events, highlighting the need for well-meaning individuals and corporate bodies to complement the efforts of the state government.
He criticized the poor level of preparedness of the state government’s contingent for sporting events over the years but noted that this will change once Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago approves the recently passed Niger State Sports Commission bill.
“When private individuals and corporate groups partner with the government to run sports, many of the challenges facing the sector will become a thing of the past,” he stated.
Regarding the narrow escape of the state-owned premier league football club, Niger Tornadoes, he assured that plans are being developed for the club to return home to compete in their 2025/26 NPFL games at the Bako Kontagora Memorial Stadium.
