Oby Edoga, female badminton supremo of the 80s and early 90s, was disqualified by the electoral board set up by the sports ministry, for lack of contributions to

the sport. Also sidelined was Amin Umar, a full-fledged member of the board from Kaduna.

Bolaji Ojuoba, the presiding officer, flanked by Tijani Yusuf, Ahmed Yahaya and Akin Amao, hinged his disqualification on the fact that she was not a functional member of the National Association of Women In Sports. Edoga, a national badminton champion for eight years, has been an active member of the badminton board since its inauguration last year by the former minister of sports, Isa Mohammed.

A vexed Oby, who flew in from Lagos this morning specifically for the election, was devastated by the decision of the electoral board. Speaking with a voice laddened with emotion, Oby, who at present works with a consulting firm to the Team Nigeria project, reeled off her chestful of achievements in the sport and challenged NAWIS to produce any woman in the country who has contributed more than herself to the sport.

Oby's shock was that her withdrawal from NAWIS, if true, was being conveyed to her by the electoral board.

"I am insulted by this your action. I was duly nominated by the association and on the strenght of that, was given a letter of appointment by the sports ministry.

"If there was any protest to my appointment, it should have been sorted out then and not one year after. That is why I am shocked", she said.

Also miffed by the electoral board's decision was Umar. The man accused the board of bad faith and argued that he should have been told early enough so as not to waste his time coming all the way from

Kaduna for the election.

On account of their protests, Bolaji Ojuoba tendered the ministry's unreserved apology to both Edoga and Umar.

"We are sorry to have embarrassed you like this and I pledge that your membership is still respected", Ojuoba said.

The election, however, failed to produce a president as both contestants, Alhaji Anjoni Sadiq and Kabir Badamasuiy, were tied six votes apiece. The election was therefore put off indefinitely to allow members agree among themselves as to who should lead them.