Top seeds, Anuoluwapo Opeyori and Dorcas Adesokan have emerged the champions of the first edition of the Rivers Governor’s Badminton Championship, which ended on Saturday in Port Harcourt.

Opeyori defeated doubles partner and close friend, Godwin Olofua 2-0 (22-20, 21-17) in the men’s category, while Adesokan beat Deborah Ukeh 2-1 (21-14, 18-21, 21-17) in a repeat of the final match at the recently concluded National Sports Festival in the Women’s category. The champions took home ₦300,000 each.

In the Mixed doubles, the pair of Enejoh Abah and Peace Orji  beat Yunusa Momoh and Ramatu Yakubu 2-0 (21-17, 21-6) to pick the top prize. In the men’s doubles Jimka Ifraimu and Ola Fagbemi beat Clement Korobakpo and Isaac Minaphee 2-1 (20-22, 17-21, 23-21).

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr Mrs Ipalibo Banigo Harry who represented Governor Nyesom Wike, commended the players for their display and assured that the Africa Senior Badminton Championship, which Rivers is hosting next April would be one to remember.

President of the BFN, Francis Orbih thanked Governor Wike for his support and pointed out that the ₦7.02million prize money on offer was the highest in the history of any National Badminton Championship in the country.

Orbih also commended the players who came to represent their states, the coaches, officials and administrators.