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OPEYORI, ADESOKAN RULE AT GOLDEN STAR NATIONAL BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIP AS LAGOS EMERGES OVERALL WINNERS

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Top seeds- Anuoluwapo Opeyori and Dorcas Adesokan – emerged the winners of the second edition of the Katsina Golden Star National Badminton Championship, which came to an end at the weekend.

 

Opeyori defeated Eneojo Abah 21-16, 21-19 in the men’s singles event, while Adesokan beat Deborah Ukeh 21-12, 18-21, 21-10 to remain top on the rankings and smile home with N150, 000 each.

Abah and Ukeh, who finished second also got N100, 00 each for their efforts, while joint third and fourth got N70, 000 each. The 5th to 8th place finishers (four) got 40,000 each, while the 9th to 16th (8 players got 10,000 each).

In the men’s doubles event, Opeyori partnered Godwin Olofua to beat the pair of Habeeb Bello and Usman Isiaq 21-11, 21-15 to cart home the top prize. In the women’s doubles event, Adesokan joined forces with Augustina Sunday to defeat the pair of Deborah Ukeh and Peace Orji.

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In the mixed doubles, Abah and Orji combined to beat Ciroma Emmanuel and Zainab Alabi 21-11, 21-14.

Winners in the doubles event got 70,000 each, second place finishers got 45,000 each, while the joint third and fourth (four players) got 30,000 each. The 5th to 8th place finishers (eight players) got N15, 000.

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In one of the major high points of the tournament, two of the junior players that went to Algeria for the Africa Youth Games made it to the quarter finals in the men’s singles event. The boys are: Daniel Christopher from Lagos State and Balarabe Umar from Bauchi State, Umar went on and made it to the semi-finals of the championship.

Also from the girl’s junior team, Zainab Alabi from Kwara state made it to the semi-finals in the women’s singles.

President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih commended the players for putting up their best at the championship. He commended the junior players who gave a good account of themselves urging them to do better in subsequent championships.

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“I must commend the players for the good job they have dome at the tournament. Their performance shows that the future of badminton is bright in Nigeria. The BFN will continue to partner sponsors who will invest in the development of the game and players.

“The junior players have also done well for themselves and hopefully, they will become the stars and ambassadors of the game in future,” Orbih added.

Meanwhile, Lagos State emerged the overall winners with two gold medals in the men’s singles and men’s doubles as well as a bronze medal in the men’s single. Ogun State was second with one gold medal.

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Badminton

It’s Nigeria again as Eniola Bolaji wins the 2024 Africa Women in Badminton Award

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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

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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Previous AWIBA Winners:

              •            2018 – Gretha Prinsloo (South Africa)

              •            2019 – Obiageli Solaja (Nigeria)

              •            2020 – Hadia Hosny (Egypt)

              •            2021 – Lynn Du Preez (Namibia)

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              •            2022 – Awatef Ghalloussi (Tunisia)

              •            2023 – Harriet Semugabi (Uganda)

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Badminton

He is one of our own, Badminton Chief, Orbih hails Kida’s headship of NNPC

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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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Eniola Bolaji remains a golden girl!

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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.

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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.

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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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