Badminton
You Aren’t Seen Nothing Yet, blasts Orbih, the Badminton boss
BY CHINWE EDOGA
After the honours at the Cote d’Ivoire International, the Nigerian badminton train has moved to Benin Republic hunting for more honours, the president-elect of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih has informed the Sports Village Square.
According to him, the same 26-man team that featured in Abidjan will again represent Nigeria at the Benin Republic tournament which begins on Thursday.
Francis Orbih, whose board along with the 31 other sports federations in Nigeria is yet to be inaugurated told Channels Television sports that he and his board members decided to hit the ground running as there was the urgent need to get Nigerian players prepared ahead of the more challenging and prestigious Lagos International which will hold later this month.
The Lagos International, with $15,000 Prize money at stake is the highest badminton tournament in Africa.
It was initiated by the Lagos State Badminton Association under the chairmanship of Francis Orbih.
He told Channels sports that Nigerian players did not do too well in the earlier two editions which were dominated by foreigners.
He said that the members of the yet to be inaugurated board decided to start working on the improvement of the Nigerian players by camping them for a month and also giving them international exposure that will also aid their global ranking.
He informed that the man of the moment, Anuoluwapo Opeyori who won the Men’s singles even on Sunday in Abidjan was unranked because the only international event he ever attended was at home.
“We planned to give them exposure by making them feature in at least three international tournaments that constitute the West African circuit.
“These were those of Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Benin Republic. Unfortunately, that of Ghana was cancelled leaving the players to just two tournaments ahead of the prestigious Lagos International”.
According to him, he started the camping with the Lagos State players who were directly under his control as the chairman of badminton association in Lagos.
“But players from the South West pleaded to be included and later we made it a national selection.
He was particularly very grateful to the Lagos State governor who was magnanimous enough to allow the team have a national outlook.
He said ‘otherwise, funding would have been a great set back’. He therefore appealed to corporate organisations to come to the aid of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria when the new board is inaugurated.
“Together, we shall all make Nigeria proud as there is abundance of talents all over Nigeria waiting to be tapped”, said Orbih.
He said that the main focus of the BFN will be to develop the sport from the grass root level and put in place proper technical development.
Orbih pointed at Anuoluwapo Opeyori as a product of grass root development in Lagos State. According to him, his board plans a loaded annual calendar that will see players at both senior and intermediate levels constantly getting exposure.
For the second time, a Nigerian has been named the recipient of the Africa Women in Badminton Award (AWIBA), as Paralympic bronze medallist Eniola Bolaji is the 2024 winner.
Before then, another Nigerian, Obiageli Solaja, won the 2019 edition, making the country the first to win twice and underlining the growth of badminton in the country.
The award is in recognition of outstanding achievements in badminton. For Bolaji, it is for her outstanding achievements and inspiring journey in para-badminton
The prestigious award was presented during the Badminton Confederation Africa (BCA) Annual General Meeting held on Thursday in China.
Receiving the award on her behalf, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, described the recognition as timely and well-deserved.
He commended Bolaji’s dedication and trailblazing accomplishments, noting her impact on the growth of para-badminton in Africa.
“I am extremely proud of Eniola Bolaji. This award reflects the BCA’s recognition of her remarkable progress,” Orbih said.
“As the first African to win a medal in badminton or para-badminton at the Olympics or Paralympics, I believe she is only just beginning to make her mark on the global stage.
“This award will not only motivate Eniola but also inspire a new generation of Nigerian and African para-badminton players. It shows that their efforts are being noticed and celebrated.”
Orbih also extended his appreciation to the new leadership of the National Sports Commission, led by Shehu Dikko, for the way they have continuously demonstrated that there is a breath of fresh air in sports in Nigeria.
Looking ahead, Orbih highlighted Nigeria’s readiness to host two international para-badminton championships in Abia State this September/October.
“We are looking forward to delivering world-class events. This is an exciting moment for Nigerian badminton, and we intend to set a new benchmark,” he added.
Previous AWIBA Winners:
• 2018 – Gretha Prinsloo (South Africa)
• 2019 – Obiageli Solaja (Nigeria)
• 2020 – Hadia Hosny (Egypt)
• 2021 – Lynn Du Preez (Namibia)
• 2022 – Awatef Ghalloussi (Tunisia)
• 2023 – Harriet Semugabi (Uganda)
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Francis Orbih, president of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, BFN, has remarked that he was very excited at the appointment of Musa Kida as the chairman of Nigeria’s state-owned oil company,.
In a release, the BFN heartily congratulated Kida, who also heads the Nigeria Basketball Federation, the NBBF.
“This appointment is a testament to your exemplary leadership, dedication, and vast experience in both the corporate and sports sectors”, Orbih remarked in a letter to Kida.
” Your commitment to excellence has been evident in your contributions to Nigerian basketball, and we have no doubt that you will bring the same level of passion, integrity, and vision to this critical national assignment.
“As you take on this new role, the Badminton Federation of Nigeria wishes you great success in steering NNPCL towards greater achievements for the benefit of our nation. We look forward to continued collaboration in the advancement of sports and national development. Once again, congratulations!”
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World number 2 player in Para badminton, Eniola Bolaji has solidified her dominance in para-badminton SL3 by winning her second gold medal in two weeks.
This time, she set an African record as the Paralympic bronze medallist triumphed over Turkey’s Halime Yildiz 2-0 (21-7, 21-10) in the women’s final at the Spanish Para Badminton International 2025 in Toledo, Spain, on Sunday.
She began her campaign by defeating India’s Sanjana Kumari 2-0 (21-15, 21-8) in the second round, followed by a 2-0 (21-9, 21-12) win over Turkey’s Halime Yildiz in the third round.
The multiple-time African champion then dispatched Ukraine’s Oksana Kozyba 2-0 (21-16, 21-4) in the semifinal.
An elated President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih praised Eniola Bolaji’s resilience and continued record-breaking achievements in para-badminton.
He highlighted her status as the only African player to win 12 gold medals in all internationals played.
Orbih said, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Eniola Bolaji on her incredible achievement of winning her 12th gold medal in as many international tournaments.
“This remarkable feat is a testament to her consistency, resilience, and unwavering dedication to excellence.”
He continued, “Bolaji has not only made Nigeria proud but has also firmly stamped her authority in the world of para-badminton. Her journey continues to inspire many, and we at the Badminton Federation of Nigeria remain committed to supporting her as she reaches even greater heights.”
The Nigeria badminton supremo also expressed excitement about the upcoming All African Para Badminton/Abia international Para badminton Championships this year, which will provide an opportunity to showcase the country’s rich badminton culture. We thank Abia state government for accepting to host these two historic events.
He said, “It gives me joy that the giants of Africa in Para badminton will be hosting an international championship and the African championship in Nigeria. It will give us an avenue to further expose other potential champions to the world.”
Recall that Eniola Bolaji won a gold medal at the 2025 Spanish Para-Badminton International II in Vitoria last week.
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