Badminton
NIGERIA’S SPORTS MINISTER, SUNDAY DARE CONGRATULATES OBY SOLAJA ON AFRICAN WOMEN IN BADMINTON AWARD
Nigeria’s Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare has heaped praises on Mrs. Obiageli Solaja following the honour bestowed on her as the recipient of the 2019 African Women in Badminton Award.
The Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA), bestowed the Award.
She becomes the second recipient of the award, following that of Gretha Prinsloo of South Africa who received the 2018 award last year during the BCA Annual General Meeting in Nanning China.
The honour will be bestowed at the BCA Annual General Meeting 2020 at a date to be fixed later due to the current COVID-19 global pandemic.
Dare remarked: “I wish to register my profound congratulations to one of Nigeria’s pioneer International Badminton players Mrs. Oby Solaja for her recognition as the winner of the prestigious BCA award.
This honour is not only well deserved, but symbolic. Coming at a time when Nigeria has shown commitment to the development of Badminton makes it special.
“This award is not just for you, but one that has made every Nigerian proud. This is reward of your commitment, hard work and dedication as a pioneer badminton player, coach and administrator.
“Indeed, it an honour well deserved. I urge you not to relent in using your pole position in the game to further develop the sport in our country.
“This is also a recognition of the sterling leadership of the President of the Badminton President Francis Orbih who has displayed astute leadership,” Dare remarked.
Oby Solaja, a seven-time African Women’s champion and 10-time Nigeria national champion in her playing days is one of the pioneers of badminton at the Olympics.
Last November, when the IOC president, Thomas Bach visited Nigeria and met with the country’s Olympians in Abuja, he took time to congratulate Solaja as one of the players when badminton first featured as a medal event at the Olympics in 1996.
According to the BCA in a letter dated 18th April 2020, conveying the award to Solaja, the award is meant “to celebrate outstanding women in Africa who have contributed to the development of badminton in Africa by demonstrating irreproachable attitude and dedication to the sport in their respective fields.”
Michel T. Bau, President of the BCA and Meneoang Leshota, Chairperson, Women in Badminton, jointly signed the letter.
“Her enormous contributions to the success of the 2019 All Africa Senior Championships in April, 2019 held in Port Harcourt, Nigeria” was given as one of the reasons for her choice as an awardee.
“This along with her commitment to her assigned tasks and dedication to the overall success of the tournament from the initial planning stages of the championship to its completion.
“Her choice was also based on her career long achievements as a female badminton player in Nigeria and Africa when, as nee Oby Edoga, she won three gold medals in the Africa Senior Championships in 1996; Women’s Singles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles.
Her qualification for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, is a landmark. She became one of the first three female badminton players in Africa to participate in the badminton event at the Olympics.
The other two from Mauritius are Martine de Souza and Marie-Josephe Jean Pierre.
Since her retirement as a player, Solaja has been developing herself in sports marketing and administration leading her to attend the 2006 Sportel in Monaco, France as a non-exhibitor as well as attending the FIFA/CIES Diploma course in Sports Management at Cairo University, Egypt in 2011/2012.
Her foray continued after retirement where she continued to support the development of badminton in Nigeria as a coach, and later as an administrator.
She is a member of the Board of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), where she is the zonal representative of the Southeast zone of the country. She is also the Chairperson of the Events Planning and Organizing Sub-committee of the BFN.
Reacting to the award, the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, expressed joy at the wonderful news coming at this very difficult time.
He said he was not surprised at all by the development. ”Mrs. Obiageli Solaja, nee Edoga deserves and merits this great honour which is the first time ever that any such honour is bestowed on a Nigerian player/administrator.
“It is a well deserved reward for hard work which will definitely spur her to put in more efforts towards the development of the game in Nigeria and Africa.
“This award will also inspire and motivate women in badminton to do more towards the development of the game knowing that their contribution will be recognised and rewarded in due course.” He said.
Orbih further stressed “The fact that her award is coming within the same month of the upgrade of Nigeria’s Naomi Oyinloye as a Certificated BCA Umpire means a lot to us.
“It epitomises progress and development, which is one of the major goals of this Board. “
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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