By Amaechi Agbo

The board members and staff of Badminton Federation of Nigeria, BFN are in cloud nine following the elevation of Miss Naomi Adeoyin Oyinleye to the grade of Africa Badminton umpire, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report

The Badminton Confederation Africa, BCA on Thursday upgraded Oyinleye to the position of continental referee (umpire) in badminton.

The last time Nigerian Umpires were upgraded by the BCA was 20 years ago in the year 2000 at the All Africa Senior Championships in Bauchi, 5 Nigerian umpires were certificated.

Oyinleye’s promotion followed the BCA Umpires Assessment which took place in Casablanca, Morocco during the African Games in August, 2019.

Expressing joy and immense satisfaction on the feat the President of Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) Francis Orbih, Esq. said “it was one of the major things we wanted to achieve when the board gave the nod for the commencement of series of Umpires Training courses which started in Abuja in 2018”.

He said the BFN has always believed that the growth of the game is not just about the development of the players, but should also encompass the development of the technical department of the game.

“In line with the administration’s policies, plans are in the pipeline to develop and upgrade the coaches as well,” he said

He added thatnthe overall development of these sectors of the game is a continuous exercise that cannot be overemphasised.

He said the board under his leadership will leave no stone unturned in achieving these noble objectives. “These, among other crucial areas, are what we will like to see firmly in place to justify the confidence that various stakeholders in the game have reposed in us”.

Miss Naomi Oyinloye is a product of the umpires training courses conducted by the Francis Orbih-led BFN. She was invited together with Adebayo George Ilori by the BCA to be part of the officiating officials at the All African Games in Morocco.

Adebayo Ilori was invited as a Referee and Miss Oyinloye as an Umpire. Adebayo Ilori is also being encouraged to pursue the BCA Referee certification by the BFN. Their invitation to the All African Games was unprecedented in African Badminton umpiring history.