Badminton
ABIA’s FIRST LADY DONATES VAN, PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR PARA BADMINTON
The First Lady of Abia State, Dr. Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu has donated a Toyota Sienna Van for the use of para-badminton players even as she promised to continue to support the game in the country.
The donation was made on Tuesday when the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) led by its president, Francis Orbih paid Dr. Ikpeazu a courtesy visit at the Government House, Umuahia.
The First Lady promised to make the Dr. Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu National Para Badminton Championship an annual event while assuring that the second edition will come up during the first quarter of next year alongside a Zonal Under-17 Championship.
She promised to lend support to para badminton players who are on the verge of qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Speaking earlier, Orbih stated that the BFN members were in Umuahia to express the board’s gratitude for the immense contribution of the First Lady to the development of para badminton in the country.
He said: “We really appreciate your contribution to the development of para badminton which has led to the growth of the game in the country. You have also shown commitment to the game by sponsoring the Dr. Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu National Para Badminton Championship in 2016, the National Para Badminton Team’s trip to the 2018 Uganda International Para Badminton Championship and the 2018 African Para Badminton Championship in Uganda.
“The First Lady’s support has greatly impacted on the team, making it ascend to the enviable position of the number one para badminton playing nation in Africa, while your effort also led to the team’s qualification for the 2019 World Para Badminton Championship in Basel, Switzerland which unfortunately the team could not attend due to visa issues.
“Her Excellency’s support also made it possible for some of the team’s members to be selected by the Badminton World Federation for part sponsorship towards qualification for the Paralympic Games in Tokyo,” Orbih added.
The BFN boss thanked the Abia First Lady for her decision to sponsor the second edition of the Dr. Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu National Para Badminton Championship with a view to making it an annual event, while also commending her for the van gift to players.
Orbih expressed belief that the history of Nigeria’s Para badminton would not be complete without the name and the huge contribution of Dr. Ikpeazu.
Board members who accompanied Orbih on the visit were Mrs. Obiageli Solaja, representative of the Southeast zone, Gabriel Gbayan, representative of the North central zone, Tunde Kazeem, Isaac Ogbole, Samuel Ekeoma, the National Coordinator of Para Badminton and Chinedu Osuoha, the Secretary-General of the Federation.
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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