Badminton
Zuma Club Wins 2nd Kwara Veteran Inter-Club Invitational Championship
The President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria BFN, Francis Orbih has pledged to reposition the game to sustain the interest of the people with the aim of taking it to greater height.
Orbih made the pledge at the weekend at the 2nd Kwara Veterans Inter Clubs Invitational Championship where Zuma Club emerged champions. At the twp-day event, the BFN president said that the sports body would create enabling environment to improve the game among the youths and veterans in Nigeria.
He charged governments to make sporting sector attractive for corporate bodies and private individuals to invest in it.
Orbih stressed the need for adequate maintenance culture of facilities in the country’s stadia to secure the confidence of would-be private investors and corporate bodies.
The BFN President stated that the federation had mapped out strategies to make badminton popular among Nigerians.
He commended the commitment and passion exhibited by members of the seven clubs that participated at the championship.
Orbih also praised the Kwara Stadium Badminton Veteran Club for the smooth organisation of the championship calling on the members to sustain the tempo.
Also speaking, the Kwara State Director of Sports, Tunde Kazeem thanked the veterans for their support imploring them to organise tournament for junior badminton players to rekindle their hope and talents in the game.
The captain of the club, Sambo Magaji thanked all the clubs for exhibiting the spirit of sportsmanship adding that the championship was organised to promote the game and expand friendship and relationship among the participants.
Magaji who congratulated the winners urged the losers to put in more effort pledging that the tournament would be an annual event.
Also speaking at the closing ceremony, the Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, Abdulwahab Oba, who was the chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), said he was happy with the turnout of participants.
He said the Kwara Badminton Veteran Club, will soon map out strategies to see how it can encourage and promote the game among the youth.
Zuma Badminton Club with three gold and three silver medals won the championship, beating Kwara Stadium Veterans Club to the second position. The latter had three gold, two silver and four bronze medals.
Police College Badminton Club, Ikeja came third with one gold, one silver and five bronze medals, with Bida Sports Club in the fourth position with one silver while City Gate Badminton Club, Abuja won three bronze to claim the fifth spot.
Lagos Country Club, Ikeja and Unilorin Badminton Club came joint sixth with one bronze medal each.
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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