Abdulateef Babatunde, representing Kwara State in badminton, is making his debut at the National Sports Festival (NSF) with a determined spirit and a drive to learn from every match experience.
Speaking on his first appearance at the national level, Babatunde expressed deep gratitude and excitement: “I am so excited that I attended the National Sports Festival. I am also happy that I had the opportunity to attend.”
Although he faced an early exit in the men’s singles, losing in the round of 32 to an opponent from Oyo State, Babatunde acknowledged the challenge of playing a senior-level competitor: “Yes, I lost to a senior player. He was more experienced than me.”
However, the young shuttler is still in the competition, now shifting his focus to the mixed doubles, where he will go up against seasoned athletes from Rivers State. “They are experienced players too, but we’ll do our best,” he said confidently.
Despite the tough competition, Babatunde is optimistic and focused on growth, whether or not he wins.“I’ll win in the doubles,” he declared, adding that the experience will help him identify his weaknesses and improve his training when he returns to Kwara.
“I will have more exposure, I will know my weaknesses to train on. And it will be a major boost to my sporting career.”
For Babatunde, this maiden NSF outing is more than just medals—it’s a stepping stone to a stronger sporting future.
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