National badminton team in a flying start at Africa Championship

The national badminton team, made a great start in the ongoing 2019 All Africa Mixed Team Championship, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, on Monday, by smacking Cote D’Ivoire 5-0 in the team’s opening fixture of the competition.

The team, had struggled in preparing for the competition, as funds for the competition became a major issue, with inadequate training hours, due to the rotational use of the DG Hathiramani Sports Hall, prior to the start of the competition.

Despite their pre-tournament challenges, which their coach Jacob Evans Wilson had complained about, Team Ghana showed no signs of a troubled side, when they won all five events against Ivory Coast in the opening fixture.

In the Men’s Singles, team captain, Daniel Sam, defeated opponent Zalobe Alex (21-14 /21-8), whilst Grace Atipaka defeated N’Dia Aicha (21-8 /21- 8) in the Women’s Singles.

In the Men’s Doubles Daniel Doe/Daniel Sam won Agnimel Akpa Jelorme/ Ousmane Ovedoogo by (21-10 / 21-9), with Grace Annabel Atipaka/ Jennifer Abitty beating Leos Oceane/N’Dia Aicha (21-9 / 21-11) in the Women’s Doubles before, Ebenezer Andrews/ Eyram Yaa Migbodzi sealed a perfect victory for the team with a (21-12 / 21 -13) over Doulo Lou Annick/Ousmane Ovedroogo in the Mixed Doubles.

Following their impressive performance against Cote D’ Ivoire, Team Ghana continued with yet another vintage performance against Togo in the second game, as they won all five events against their opponents.

In the Men’s Single against Togo, Ebenezer Andrews won Issa Azim (21-5 / 21-3), whilst Grace Atipaka handed a (21-1 / 21-6) defeat to Dare Malika.

For the Mixed Double Michael Baah / Perpetual Quaye recorded a (21-5/21-10) victory over Adjima Rolande / Amoussoli Vivien, with Emmanuel Botwe / George Ayittey beating Amoussoli Vivien / Issa Azim (21-4 / 21-1) in the Men’s Double, as EyramYaa Migbodzi/ Jennifer Abitty also won Adjima Rolande/ Dare Malika (21-10 / 21 -6) in the Women’s Double.

Team Ghana is in Group C of the Championship and would play their last group game against Algeria on Tuesday at 16:00 HRS at the Civic Centre in Port Harcourt.

The competition, which started on April 19 would end on April 29 and Ghana’s participation in the championships will enable the athletes to obtain more points on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) ranking towards 2019 All Africa Games.