BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
A national Badminton female player, Chibuzor Queen Sunday has revealed why she dumped Team Imo and joined Team Abia in the ongoing 2024 Gateway Games National Sports Festival taking place in Abeokuta,Ogun State.
In an exclusive interview with our correspondent, Sunday who is currently with Team Abia in Gateway Games said she dumped Team Imo following the inability to meet her expectations throughout the period she represented the state both in national sports festivals and other national Badminton championships.
Sunday began to represent Imo State since 2012 national sports festival in Lagos without getting needed support from Imo State Sports Commission.
“I am in Gateway Games to represent Team Abia in mixed and women’s doubles in Badminton.This is the first time I represent Team Abia in festival.For those who know me well, I used to represent Imo State since 2012 but unfortunately I was not treated well in Team Imo.
“When I represented Team Imo,i was not honoured or value.inspite of the gold medals I won in the past.The only thing the state always do for me is to pay my allowance anytime I represent the state at the national sports festival.If I could win gold medals for the state in the past festivals, I think I deserve more honours and I know what other states are doing for their athletes who won medals in the past.
“At a point I left the game for almost four years and none of the sports officers or coaches call or ask me what happen to me.Anytime I represent the state at the national competitions and come back home with laurels, no support or appreciation from the Imo State Sports Commission despite the fact that I use my money to sponsor myself to the tournaments.
“When Team Abia came to me last year and told me what they have for their athletes in Gateway Games and I decided to accept the offers,”said Sunday who regretted represented Team Imo in the past festivals.
Asked about her expectations in the Gateway Games, Sunday said her mission is to win gold for Team Abia in both mixed and women’s doubles.
“As a national player,my expectation is to win medal in both categories.my partners and I have prepared well and we are well motivated to make Team Abia proud in Badminton,”she said.
Badminton event would commence in few days at the Alake Sports center.