Badminton
ANU OPEYORI REMAINS NIGERIA’S BADMINTON NUMERO UNO
The climax of the third Golden Star Katsina National Championship was as explosive as it was exciting.
The final matches heralded some predictable and some brand new champions. The Men’s Singles event produced Anuoluwapo Opeyori (LA/FRSC), winner of the last edition and still very much Nigeria Number One.
His teammate, friend and fiercest rival, Godwin Olofua (LA) could not play the scheduled final owing to ill health.
The excitement that greeted the end of the match that
produced the comeback queen, the gorgeous Grace Gabriel (PL) as the winner will
keep resounding for a long time to come.
She beat home girl, GSK’s Ruth C. Ibere 2-1 to clinch the coveted trophy and cash prize. Assisted from the sidelines by the former Nigerian International, Victor Makanju, she was absolutely astounding and very much the old former African Number One Women’s Singles player.
Earlier, the same Grace Gabriel had teamed up with the same Ruth C.
Ibere of GSK in the Women’s Doubles category to defeat the pair of Peace Orji-Abah and Juliet Jacob (OY/TR) to win the category’s gold.
The Men’s Doubles event was won by former African Number One, Jinkam I.Bulus (TR) who paired with young Daniel Phillip (AD) to produce a great blend of experience and youthful strength to defeat Eneojo Abah and Isaac Minaphee (DT) and send a clear challenge to the teeming young players around.
The Mixed Doubles event saw the consolidation of the dominance that the pair of Eneojo Abah (DT) and his beautiful wife Peace Orji-Abah has enjoyed in recent years. Ranked Number 1 in Nigeria and Number 2 on the continent, this pair ensured that the pair of Aliyu Alhaji Shehu and Maryam Umar (NG) could only take the silver back home.
The standard of the game was quite impressively high and the camaraderie and sportsmanship exhibited during the course of the championship made all the efforts pumped into the preparations and actual execution of the tournament worthwhile.
The closing ceremony was graced by an impressive number of dignitaries among which was the representative of the Emir of Katsina, the Yandakan Katsina and District Head of Dutsinma, Alhaji Sada Mohammed Sada and a host of other dignitaries.
Delivering his speech before the presentation if prizes to the winners, the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, expressed his board’s appreciation to the management of the Golden Star Katsina Badminton Club and paid glowing tribute to it’s able founder, Grand Patron and Financier, Alhaji Malik Anas for his enormous and unquantifiable contribution’s to the growth and development of the game in the country.
Presentations were made of medals, trophies and prize monies to the winners and two Special Awards were handed out by the Badminton Federation of Nigeria to Alhaji Malik Anas and the Golden Star Badminton Club.
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)
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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!”
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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.
Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- Nigerian Football5 days ago
Financial rainfall awaits Nigeria’s Flamingos for every goal scored in Algeria
- OBITUARY1 week ago
NFF mourns the demise of former FIFA referee, Bosede Momoh
- U-20 FOOTBALL1 week ago
Nigeria begin CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations title chase with Tunisian clash
- Nigerian Football6 days ago
Former WAFU President, Ogufere mourns Christian Chukwu
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Remo Stars maintain ‘7Up’ lead over Rivers United
- feature1 week ago
Ghana’s Cardinal, Appiah Turkson, listed as a possible Pope
- Badminton5 days ago
It’s Nigeria again as Eniola Bolaji wins the 2024 Africa Women in Badminton Award
- CAF Champions League5 days ago
Al Ahly, Sundowns brace for Cairo showdown with final spot on the line