Badminton must be taken down to the grassroots again – Jinkam
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- Category: Sports
- Written by David Ngobua
- Hits: 749
Could you introduce yourself?
My names are Jinkam Ephraim Bulus. I am from Taraba State. I am the current number one male badminton player in Africa. The ranking in Nigeria is not yet out but it’s like we would have to play a national open championship before we would know the number one in Nigeria. But the present holder of the title is Ochole Ediche.
Being a tall athlete, you could as well have settled for a game like volleyball or basketball. Why did you opt for badminton?
My first game is tennis which I enjoy playing so much. I had to settle for badminton because in Taraba State where I come from, tennis is not well developed. Although I am into badminton, I still have my eyes on tennis. I may end up there. Apart from tennis, I am also a good footballer so whenever I am not playing either badminton or tennis, I go to football.
When did you start playing badminton?
It has been a long time because I started when I was like six or seven years old. I was then in primary school. I was actually discovered during my secondary school days. When the coaches identified my talents, they worked on me.
What is the name of the coach who discovered your talents and encouraged you to take to the game?
He is coach Jochinta. He did a lot for me. The coach took me up from the grassroots and showed me the road to the top. He instilled discipline and hard work into all his players. I learnt a lot from him and I attribute a greater percentage of my achievements to him.
To what extent did your parents encourage you?
I feel touched by this question because my mum has been one of my main sponsors since I started. Even when Taraba State has no money to sponsor me to camp here in Abuja, she transports me down. In addition, my father who is an accountant by profession sponsors my trips. Having seen my passion for the game, they never hesitated in sponsoring me.
Were there other established players who inspired you when you started?
Sure, the first time I came close to a great player like Olafagbemi at the AP Open championship in Kwara state, I was like fascinated and challenged to do more. I marveled at his skills, strength and commitment to the game. At the end of the championship, I discovered that if I have to excel in the game, I got to be like him and his other contemporaries. Moreover, I knew that to be at the top, I have to beat the best. The dream is always to beat the man who is at the top. I never dream of beating a junior player but those who are on top.
As a national player, will you say the present leadership of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria doing enough to develop the game in the country?
The president of the badminton federation is a wonderful man. He is one of the men who so much love the game. The present is sponsoring the junior team to Ethiopia and the senior team just returned from Mauritius. He has expressed readiness to go with anyone who is ready to give him results. Badminton in Nigeria is in for unprecedented progress.
What can you say you have achieved playing badminton?
The game has brought me to limelight and has made me who I am. I now have land to build my own house when I have the money. In addition, I have opened a bank account and the account is not empty. I give credit to the game of badminton.
Are you very satisfied with grassroots badminton development in Nigeria?
A lot still needs to be done in this direction. Before now, we used to have some youth development programmes where young Chinese players were invited to come for us to test our skills against them. Coaches too were brought together to talk to us and show us some new skills. Badminton must be taken down to the grassroots again.
Do you enjoy any special attention?
Sure, even my state governor doesn’t joke with anything that concerns me. Memos to the governor concerning me do not observe any protocols. Any time I am to embark on any foreign trip, my file doesn’t go through the bureaucratic bottlenecks. Such requests do not pass through the commissioner of sports, the secretary to government and the rest. My governor gives me special attention. He is my number one supporter.
Do you hope to combine education with playing the game?
I would like to do so but it is a bit difficult. I am an NCE graduate and I know exactly what I passed through. Most times, I travelled for competitions and my school work suffered. Anytime, I returned, it was only those lecturers who sympathized with me that gave me make up assignments and tests. Right now, I am pursuing my admission into ABU but even if I am admitted, I may have to defer my admission to concentrate on my 2012 Olympics qualifying tournaments. If I pursue the two simultaneously, I may end not achieving any of the two. Qualifying for Olympics is not an easy task. You have to play a lot of international tournaments.
Who is your favourite player and is there any player in the world you are dreaming of beating?
My favourite is Jincheng from China. He is like tall and young. I like to play like him. And the player I can’t wait to play against is former Olympics champion Toeffek from Indonesia. He is definitely a tough nut to crack but if I meet him, I will not allow him to go just like that. I will make sure he recognizes who he is playing against.
Articles
Badminton must be taken down to the grassroots again – Jinkam
Category: Sports Written by David Ngobua Hits: 749
Could you introduce yourself?
My names are Jinkam Ephraim Bulus. I am from Taraba State. I am the current number one male badminton player in Africa. The ranking in Nigeria is not yet out but it’s like we would have to play a national open championship before we would know the number one in Nigeria. But the present holder of the title is Ochole Ediche.
Being a tall athlete, you could as well have settled for a game like volleyball or basketball. Why did you opt for badminton?
My first game is tennis which I enjoy playing so much. I had to settle for badminton because in Taraba State where I come from, tennis is not well developed. Although I am into badminton, I still have my eyes on tennis. I may end up there. Apart from tennis, I am also a good footballer so whenever I am not playing either badminton or tennis, I go to football.
When did you start playing badminton?
It has been a long time because I started when I was like six or seven years old. I was then in primary school. I was actually discovered during my secondary school days. When the coaches identified my talents, they worked on me.
What is the name of the coach who discovered your talents and encouraged you to take to the game?
He is coach Jochinta. He did a lot for me. The coach took me up from the grassroots and showed me the road to the top. He instilled discipline and hard work into all his players. I learnt a lot from him and I attribute a greater percentage of my achievements to him.
To what extent did your parents encourage you?
I feel touched by this question because my mum has been one of my main sponsors since I started. Even when Taraba State has no money to sponsor me to camp here in Abuja, she transports me down. In addition, my father who is an accountant by profession sponsors my trips. Having seen my passion for the game, they never hesitated in sponsoring me.
Were there other established players who inspired you when you started?
Sure, the first time I came close to a great player like Olafagbemi at the AP Open championship in Kwara state, I was like fascinated and challenged to do more. I marveled at his skills, strength and commitment to the game. At the end of the championship, I discovered that if I have to excel in the game, I got to be like him and his other contemporaries. Moreover, I knew that to be at the top, I have to beat the best. The dream is always to beat the man who is at the top. I never dream of beating a junior player but those who are on top.
As a national player, will you say the present leadership of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria doing enough to develop the game in the country?
The president of the badminton federation is a wonderful man. He is one of the men who so much love the game. The present is sponsoring the junior team to Ethiopia and the senior team just returned from Mauritius. He has expressed readiness to go with anyone who is ready to give him results. Badminton in Nigeria is in for unprecedented progress.
What can you say you have achieved playing badminton?
The game has brought me to limelight and has made me who I am. I now have land to build my own house when I have the money. In addition, I have opened a bank account and the account is not empty. I give credit to the game of badminton.
Are you very satisfied with grassroots badminton development in Nigeria?
A lot still needs to be done in this direction. Before now, we used to have some youth development programmes where young Chinese players were invited to come for us to test our skills against them. Coaches too were brought together to talk to us and show us some new skills. Badminton must be taken down to the grassroots again.
Do you enjoy any special attention?
Sure, even my state governor doesn’t joke with anything that concerns me. Memos to the governor concerning me do not observe any protocols. Any time I am to embark on any foreign trip, my file doesn’t go through the bureaucratic bottlenecks. Such requests do not pass through the commissioner of sports, the secretary to government and the rest. My governor gives me special attention. He is my number one supporter.
Do you hope to combine education with playing the game?
I would like to do so but it is a bit difficult. I am an NCE graduate and I know exactly what I passed through. Most times, I travelled for competitions and my school work suffered. Anytime, I returned, it was only those lecturers who sympathized with me that gave me make up assignments and tests. Right now, I am pursuing my admission into ABU but even if I am admitted, I may have to defer my admission to concentrate on my 2012 Olympics qualifying tournaments. If I pursue the two simultaneously, I may end not achieving any of the two. Qualifying for Olympics is not an easy task. You have to play a lot of international tournaments.
Who is your favourite player and is there any player in the world you are dreaming of beating?
My favourite is Jincheng from China. He is like tall and young. I like to play like him. And the player I can’t wait to play against is former Olympics champion Toeffek from Indonesia. He is definitely a tough nut to crack but if I meet him, I will not allow him to go just like that. I will make sure he recognizes who he is playing against.