Badminton
Japan boost Badminton Federation of Nigeria
The Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) has received a boost of donation of 80 Rackets from the Nippon Badminton Association.
The presentation was made by the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi to the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the BFN, Francis Orbih.
The presentation was made at the Package B of Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The occasion was graced by the Nigeria Olympic Committee President, Habu Gumel; a representative of the Sports Ministry, Mrs.Okpara Thekela, an Assistant Director at the Ministry and some former members of the BFN board.
The Ambassador spoke so glowingly of the country despite being here in person only a month ago.
He spoke of the need for the two countries to partner towards the development of sports.
He also expressed his joy that his first official assignment has to do with sports, being a sportsman, a gymnast.
He went ahead to pay his respects to the deceased Para badminton champion, Bello Oyebanji and commended his ward, Eniola Mariam Abolaji, who won the first ever gold medal in any international Para badminton championship outside Africa by any African Para badminton player.
He expressed his anticipation of meeting the young Champion at the World Para badminton championship in Japan, come October.
There was an address by the representative of the Nippon Badminton Association where he read out a note by the Chairman. He promised to further support the development of the game in Nigeria as best as the Association could.
The Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of BFN, Francis Orbih in his speech touched on the links of the two nations in badminton terms, stating that at the period that Japan is on top of World Badminton, Nigeria has qualified for the Olympics for the first time in 12 years and the first time ever to qualify for Men’s Doubles at the Olympics.
He also pointed out a number of incidents, like the Yonex Japan’s pledge to kit the Nigeria Team at the Olympics after a good performance at the 2021 Yonex All England championship.
On the whole, he called for further mutually beneficial partnerships between the two countries. He finally expressed his profound gratitude for the kind gesture by the Nippon Badminton Association, Japan.
After the handover of the Rackets by the Ambassador, there was a brief and interesting moment of First Racket Performance, where the Ambassador “played” against the Caretaker Chairman for a few minutes to a loud applause by the officials and players present.
There was a lengthy session of photos where the Ambassador, the Chairman, the NOC President and the Ministry Representative opened the floor and others followed.
Thereafter, the President of the NOC, Habu Gumel went on to give a speech in which he extolled the virtues and efforts of the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee who is also the immediate past President of the federation, praying for him to continue the good work he has been doing for the game.
In all, the event was a huge success with the Ambassador turning everyone’s friend with his outright friendly nature.
Team Nigeria reaffirmed its dominance in African para badminton, emerging overall champions at the Africa Para Badminton Championships 2025, which concluded on Sunday at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Abia State.
The hosts were in a class of their own, sweeping an impressive 36 medals — including 10 gold, 13 silver, and 13 bronze — to finish far ahead of other participating nations.
Kenya’s National Olympic Committee secured second place with 11 medals (four gold, two silver, and five bronze), while Egypt rounded off the top three with eight medals (three gold, one silver, and four bronze).
The Republic of Benin followed in fourth with one gold, two silver, and two bronze medals, and the Democratic Republic of Congo placed fifth with one gold and two bronze. Tunisia came sixth with one silver and one bronze, while Cameroon claimed seven place after collecting six bronze medals.
Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, and Rwanda each won two bronze medals to complete the top 10, while Mauritius earned one bronze medal. Only Mozambique finished without a medal among the 12 participating countries that featured in 19 events during the week-long championship, which began on October 7.
Nigeria’s gold medalists included several standout performers: Eniola Bolaji, Africa’s undisputed queen of para badminton; Chigozie Nnanna, Chukwuemeka Eze, Ijeoma Chukwuemeka, Mary Nathan, Chinyere Okoro, Munkwoba Goman, and Bello Tukur.
Notably, Bolaji, Nnanna, and Nathan had also captured gold at the First Abia Para Badminton International held at the same venue a week earlier, from September 30 to October 5, underscoring their consistency and dominance.
Nigeria’s silver medalists included Odinachi Uwalaka, Obinna Nwosu, Ifeanacho Ohaeri, Ebikoboere Brown, Abel David, James Akpan, and Nendimwa Monday, among others.
At the colourful closing ceremony, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State hailed the athletes for their courage, skill, and sportsmanship. Represented by Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Nwaobilor Ananaba, Otti praised the event as a landmark achievement for Nigeria and the continent.
“We have learned, improved, and been inspired. And let me assure you — Abia will bid to host again, and when we do, we will offer an experience that will far surpass this pioneering effort,” he said.
Francis Orbih, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), lauded the para athletes for embodying the spirit of resilience and human dignity through their performances.
“Our para athletes have shown that sport is a powerful expression of ability, resilience, and human dignity,” Orbih said, extending appreciation to the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA) for their support and guidance.
Orbih also commended the Abia State Government for providing a world-class venue and a welcoming atmosphere that fostered friendship and unity among participants.
The Africa Para Badminton Championships 2025 not only crowned Nigeria as continental champions but also showcased the nation’s capacity to host international sporting events of the highest standard — a milestone that officials say will serve as a springboard for future competitions on African soil.
MEDAL TABLE
| Country | Position | Medals | Total No. of Medals | ||
| No. of Gold Medals | No. of Silver Medals | No. of Gold, Bronze Medals | |||
| Nigeria | 1st | 10 | 13 | 13 | 36 |
| Kenya | 2nd | 4 | 2 | 5 | 11 |
| Egypt | 3rd | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 |
| Benin | 4th | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| Congo | 5th | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Tunisia | 6th | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Cameroon | 7th | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Zimbabwe | 8th | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Burkinafaso | 9th | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Rwanda | 10th | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Mauritius | 11th | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
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The Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) has continued its nationwide grassroots development drive with a two-day outreach training held in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.
Organised in collaboration with the Adamawa State Sports Council, the State Ministry of Education, and the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF), Adamawa chapter, the training took place on 24 and 25 September 2025 at the General Murtala Mohammed College hall.
A total of 20 Physical Education teachers and 80 secondary school students from the Yola area participated in the intensive programme, which aimed to introduce badminton to schools and promote the sport at the grassroots level.
The training was facilitated by a team of five coaches led by George Shitta, who also serves as the Director of Sports at the Taraba State Sports Commission. Participants were taken through the fundamentals of badminton, including grip techniques, footwork, serving, stroke execution, game strategy, and proper warm-up routines.
According to the organisers, the programme was part of the BFN’s ongoing partnership with the Community Sports and Educational Development (CSED) Initiative, which has supported similar “Shuttle Time” and “Outreach Badminton Training” sessions across the country over the past three years. These sessions are designed to help teachers and students learn the game together while fostering teamwork, discipline, and social development.
The trainees actively engaged with the coaches — asking questions, sharing experiences, and demonstrating newly acquired skills. At the end of the programme, each participating school received badminton kits, including rackets, shuttlecocks, and nets, to help sustain practice beyond the training.
The Director of the Adamawa State Sports Council, Mr. Daniel Ahmed, graced the event, while the lead facilitator, George Shitta, paid courtesy visits to key education stakeholders — Hajiya Aisha M. Umar, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, and Birsan Panuel, Executive Secretary of the Post Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB).
Organisers described the initiative as a model of effective collaboration among sports authorities, education agencies, and development partners — a partnership they hope will continue to enhance both the academic and athletic growth of teachers, coaches, and students in Adamawa State.
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The curtain fell on the 8th Lagos International Badminton Classics at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Saturday, with host nation Nigeria making the podium and the event earning praise as a model for sports tourism in Africa.
Though global heavyweights dominated the finals, Nigeria’s Obanisola and her partner gave the home crowd reason to cheer by clinching bronze in the Women’s Doubles, ensuring the green and white were represented on the podium.
Elsewhere, India’s S. Lele defended her Women’s Singles crown with a 21-15, 21-17 victory over compatriot Kashyap, while Russia’s neutral duo Alimov and Ogloblin sealed Men’s Doubles gold against UAE’s Ravikrishna and Rimdahoi.
Tournament organizers hailed the event as a resounding success. “The Lagos International Badminton Classics has once again proven that Nigeria is ready to host world-class sporting events,” said Francis Orbih, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN). “We are building a brand that showcases Africa’s talent, hospitality, and passion for badminton.”
With $17,500 prize money shared among winners and athletes praising the hospitality of Lagos, the championship reaffirmed Nigeria’s growing profile as a hub for global sports. The 9th edition in 2026 promises an even bigger spectacle.
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