By Yunusa Isa, Gombe

The Emir of Yamaltu, His Royal Highness Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu Hinna, has blessed the Gombe State candidates contesting for national vice chairman and national public relations offices of the Association of Badminton Clubs in Nigeria (ABCIN) in its forthcoming 2024 general elections.

Abubakar Aliyu who is the Grand Patron Gombe Badminton Club, showered the blessings when the club members paid him a courtesy visit at his palace.

Admonishing the contestants; Esther Daniel vying for the national vice chairman seat and Yusuf Sarki vying for the national P.R.O., the royal father charged them to play politics with decorum.

“Do not take this as a do or die affair, if you lost, accept it in good faith, and try your luck the next time, may be your time is not now, the best for you is ahead. But if you win, thank God and put in your best to move our association forward, learn from the successes of the current leadership and build on. On their mistakes, make corrections, for they are lessons to you”.

He expressed confidence in the two candidates, maintaining that they are equal to the tasks.

While praying for God Almighty to grant them success, the emir assured the contestants of his full support, maintaining that his doors are always open to chip-in at all points.

Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu Hinna is a Royal Father to Nigeria Badminton Family, Member Board of Trustees ABCIN, and former Board Member Badminton Federation of Nigeria (North East).

Presenting the candidates to the grand patron, the chairman Gombe State Badminton Club Alhaji Yahaya Umar Umaru, represented by the club captain Engineer Hayatuddeen Usman, said they were at the palace to present to him the candidates, seek for his advice and have his blessings on the mission.

In his vote of thanks on behalf of the team, the candidate for the national public relations office of the ABCIN Yusuf Sarki, appreciated the royal father for the warm reception and audience, assuring to put the advice of the emir into use.

Sarki said they decided to join the race to contribute their quota in the development of Badminton in Nigeria.

He said Badminton history can not be complete in the country without the name of the royal father, considering his roles and contributions to the game in Nigeria.