Nigeria’s top-ranked para-badminton star, Eniola Bolaji Mariam of Kwara State, reaffirmed her dominance with a flawless performance in the Women’s Singles SL3 category at the 5th Abia National Open Para Badminton Championship, held at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia.

Over two days of intense round-robin action, Bolaji lived up to her billing as the undisputed queen of the SL3 class, winning all four of her matches without dropping a single game and conceding just 15 points across eight games—a near-perfect record that underscored her superiority.

Eniola Bolaji Mariam of Kwara State remains invincible

She opened her campaign in ruthless fashion, whitewashing Oriemezie Joy of Imo State 21–0, 21–4. She followed up with an equally commanding 21–1, 21–2 victory over Anna Nyam of Plateau State.

 Her dominance continued with a 21–2, 21–5 win over home favourite Odinaka Uwalaka of Abia State, before wrapping up her campaign by brushing aside Blessing Iroanya, also of Abia, 21–2, 21–1.

Despite her loss to Bolaji, Imo State’s Oriemezie Joy emerged as a standout performer in her own right, finishing second in the group.

Joy displayed grit and experience, posting three wins from four matches. She began with a confident 21–8, 21–1 win over Iroanya and followed up with a solid 21–11, 21–10 triumph over Anna Nyam.

In a tightly contested match against Uwalaka, Joy held her nerve to secure a 21–17, 21–14 victory that guaranteed her the runner-up spot.

Abia State’s Odinaka Uwalaka delivered a mixed bag of results. She opened with a narrow three-game loss to Joy (18–21, 21–15, 15–21) and was overwhelmed by Bolaji, but rebounded with convincing wins over Iroanya (21–6, 21–9) and Nyam (21–17, 21–14), finishing third overall.

Anna Nyam endured a difficult outing, managing just one win—a hard-fought contest against Iroanya—to finish fourth.

Meanwhile, Blessing Iroanya, despite her spirited efforts and crowd support, ended her campaign winless, but with valuable experience from each match.

The 5th edition of the Abia National Open Para Badminton Championship continues to highlight the growing depth and competitiveness in Nigeria’s para-badminton scene.

 As the curtains begin to draw on this year’s event, Eniola Bolaji’s dominance remains the gold standard, setting the pace for aspiring stars across the nation.

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The Indoor Sports Hall of the Ondo State Sports Commission in Akure hosted a three-day Shuttle Time Teachers Course from June 26th to 28th, 2025, drawing participants from 17 schools across the state in a bid to expand grassroots badminton development.

The course kicked off at 12:30 p.m. on a rainy Thursday, with an initial attendance of 17 teachers, one coach, and 56 students. By the second day, participation grew to include three coaches and 72 students, bringing the total number of attendees to 92.

Facilitators guided the teachers through the structured Shuttle Time curriculum, which includes a Teachers’ Manual, Lesson Plans, and instructional video clips—resources developed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and accessible both in print and online through the BWF website and the Shuttle Time App.

Participants were introduced to the four key learning phases:

• “Starters Lesson” (Lessons 1–10): Basic front court activities and skills
• “Swing and Throw” (Lessons 11–12): Transition to mid-court
• “Throw and Hit” (Lessons 13–18): Rear court development
• “Learn to Win” (Lessons 19–22): Introduction to tactical gameplay

The course was hands-on, with teachers assessed on their delivery by engaging students directly. Students, in turn, provided feedback on what they had learned, with only minimal corrections required—an indication of the teachers’ grasp of the training.

On the final day, the remaining modules were completed, with both teachers and students actively participating in practical sessions.

Each participating school received a badminton starter kit comprising four rackets, a net, and four shuttlecocks to help implement the sport in their respective institutions. Participants were also kitted in branded Shuttle Time Nigeria T-shirts and treated to meals and refreshments throughout the programme.

Among dignitaries present at the event were the General Manager of the Ondo State Sports Council and the Chairman of the Ondo State Badminton Association, Chief Olu Adekunle Ajanaku.

In his remarks, Chief Ajanaku pledged to expand the Shuttle Time Teachers Course to all local government areas in the state and promised to organize a zonal U-15 badminton championship before year’s end.

The event marked a milestone, being the first time that branded Shuttle Time Nigeria T-shirts were worn by all categories of participants, including students, teachers, and games masters and mistresses.

Gratitude was extended to the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), its President, Francis Orbih, and Mrs. Oby Solaja for their support and approval of the course.

Special appreciation was also given to the Community Sport and Educational Development (CSED) Initiative—BFN’s grassroots development partner—for donating the equipment distributed to schools.

Organisers described the course as a “huge success,” setting a strong foundation for the spread of badminton across schools in Ondo State.

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A former Super Eagles defensive midfielder, Pascal Karibe Ojigwe, is one of the 14-man Local Organising Committee (LOC) inaugurated on Friday for the first Abia Para Badminton International Championship, which will hold later this year in Umuahia.

Ojigwe played for the Super Eagles at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations in Mali.

Along with the LOC was the inauguration of the Main Organising Committee, the MOC.

The inauguration ceremony by the Abia State government was held at the Government House in Umuahia, in the office of the Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu.

The 1st Abia Para Badminton International Championship is scheduled to be held from September 30 to October 5, 2025, followed by the All-Africa Para Badminton Championship from October 6 to 12, 2025.

President, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih commended Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for his significant investment in sports development.

He noted that both championships would have a substantial economic impact on the state and attract international recognition to Abia’s progress under Governor Otti’s administration.

“This marks Nigeria’s first time hosting an international para badminton championship, which reflects our shared commitment to advancing para sports,” Orbih said.

He added, “Your Excellency, by hosting this historic event, you are not only making a powerful statement about equity and opportunity but also positioning Abia State as a beacon of progress in sports development, both nationally and across the continent.

“This championship offers tremendous opportunities—it will stimulate the local economy, attract international attention, and inspire a new generation of para-athletes across Africa.”

Orbih assured the state of the BFN’s full support, pledging technical expertise and collaboration to ensure the event meets international standards.

He also charged committee members to uphold professionalism and integrity in the discharge of their duties:

“I urge you to work with unity, transparency, and excellence. The eyes of the continent, and indeed the global badminton community, will be on Abia, and I am confident you will rise to the occasion.”

Orbih also referenced Eniola Bolaji’s historic achievement at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, which brought global recognition to both Nigeria and Africa in para badminton.

In his remarks, Governor Alex Otti, represented by Deputy Governor Emetu, expressed pride in the achievements of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria and the state’s local Association.

He praised their dedication and emphasised Abia’s potential to become a leading hub for badminton in Africa.

Emetu also encouraged stakeholders to invest in grassroots development to nurture the next generation of champions.

The Governor further congratulated Francis Orbih on his election to the Badminton World Federation Council, recognising it as a milestone for Nigerian badminton on the global stage.

After the inauguration, the committee members embarked on an inspection tour of the facilities for the events, after which Orbih said, “I want to say I am impressed with the level of renovation work going on at the venue.

“We also visited designated official hotels for the event to make sure they are up to the standards set for such events”.

List of Main Organising Committee (MOC) Members:

Chairman: Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu

Vice Chairman: Francis Orbih

Members: Prescilia Alex Otti, Ekeoma Samuel, Hon. Nwaobillor Ananaba, George Obioma, Abel Sunday, Alhaji Mohammed Maina, Mallam Tunde Kazeem, Salihu Abubakar, Seyi Johnson, Sunday Odebode, Thecla Okpara, and Oludare Davies.

List of Local Organising Committee (LOC) Members:

Chairperson: Her Excellency, Priscillia Chioma Alex Otti

Vice Chairman: Celeb Ajagba

Members: Pascal Karibe Ojigwe, Francis Orbih, George Obioma, Abel Sunday, Ekeoma Samuel, Kenneth Odanwu, Dr. Eugene Ihuaba, George Shitta, Obiageli Solaja, Hon. Sulyman Shehu Warah, Amb. Yahaya Faruk, and Mallam Tunde Kazeem.

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