Badminton
Caretaker committee set up to run badminton in Nigeria
The path to normalcy in the administration of badminton in Nigeria was on Monday charted as a caretaker committee was sworn-in to run the affairs of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN). Francis Orbih will lead the caretaker committee as chairman.
The composition of the BFN as well as the in-house election of its principal officers had been stalled following a court action by one Kenneth Azuine who was not a party to the election into the board.
But on the eve of the election, just as it was for other sports federations, he got an interim court injunction stopping the electoral processes and composition of the BFN.
With badminton in the country grounded to a halt, the Nigeria Ministry of Sports opted to set up a caretaker committee
On Monday, October 18, 2021, the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar who stood in for the minister of sports, Sunday Dare sworn-in a 13-man caretaker committee.
In attendance were Dr. Simon Ebhojiaye, Director FEAD (Federations and elite athletes department) and Peter Nelson, the Director of the Para-Sports/ Sports Festival department.
The oath of office was administered by Foluso Akinlonu, a lawyer and Director Legal at the Sports ministry.
The non-composition of the BFN as a fallout from the legal issue was already taking its toll on the sport in the country.
For instance, the 6th Lagos International Badminton Classics which is the biggest Badminton World Federation sanctioned championship in Africa had to be cancelled as the world body had no organisation to relate with in the country.
The championship which the immediate board of BFN had scheduled to run from 3rd to 6th November 2021 was shelved because of the lacuna in the running of the sport in Nigeria.
Also, Team Nigeria was withdrawn from the All Africa Senior Championship which is scheduled to take place in Uganda from 21st to 28th October 2021. This is because there is no board in place to handle preparation of the team for the event.
Another loss the country incurred owing to the non-composition of a board is the poor ranking the country’s players will have to contend with.
It is learnt that Nigeria is not in good standing with the Badminton World Federation because the country was unable to fill and return the schedule A form for updating membership of MAs after the original deadline of 30th September and 11th October which was the extension given Nigeria to update its membership. Filling the schedule A form entails entering details of the board.
The participation of two Nigerian players who qualified for the world championship in Spain in December is also threatened as there is no board in place to handle preparation.
Owing to the cancellation of the Lagos International as well as the withdrawal of Nigeria from the All Africa Senior Championship in Uganda as a result of the absence of a board, Nigeria will lose two votes out of its voting strength during the AGM next year.
The members of the newly inaugurated Caretaker Committee of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria are Francis Orbih (Chairman), Maina Mohammed, Solaja Obiageli, Yusuf L. Bello, Shehu Sulyman Warah and Tangbe Felix Awala.
The others are Tunde Kazeem, George Shitta, Etuku Tenimu, Esther Gidado, Malik Anas, Amb Yahaya Yusuf and Grace Gabriel.
The chairman of the committee, Orbih said that the setting up pf the committee was a good development as it will attempt to redeem the lost ground occasioned by the lingering issues.
He told the Sports Village Square that he will abide by the counsel offered by Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, the Permanent Secretary at the ministry that he should reach out to all stake holders to gain all lost grounds. This he said will also include the aggrieved parties.
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 |
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- World Cup1 week ago
CAF Rule Change May Boost Nigeria’s World Cup Qualification Hopes
- World Cup5 days ago
Victor Osimhen qualifies South Africa for World Cup as Super Eagles go for Play-Off
- World Cup1 week ago
BREAKING! Lookman Suspended for Crucial Benin Clash
- World Cup1 week ago
Judgment Day Beckons in Group C: Only One Ticket, Three Contenders, Infinite Drama
- FIFA RANKING2 days ago
Nigeria Jumps Four Places in New FIFA Rankings; Stirs Optimism in Local Football Circles
- World Cup1 week ago
Super Eagles Stranded in Angola After Aircraft Suffers Cracked Windscreen
- World Cup1 week ago
Akor Adams Becomes Nigeria’s 61st Scoring Debutant
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
GTI Assets Champions Football Investment as Catalyst for National Development