Badminton
Badminton Federation of Nigeria’s Shuttle Time shuttles to Kwara State
Turn-by-turn it has been as the Global efforts to raise budding badminton players, code-named Shuttle Time has moved to Ilorin in Kwara State.
It was the third in the series of training programme which had seen the event in Ogun State and Anambra State in southern Nigeria.
‘Shuttle Time’, according to the Badminton World Federation (BWF) is a project in which lessons are designed to provide children with a positive image of badminton through many opportunities to have fun, engage with others and experience success.
The event in Nigeria is been organised by the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) in partnership with Community Sport Educational Development (CSED) Initiative.
The Ilorin programme at the Indoor Sports Hall of Kwara State Stadium Complex,involved 25 schools teachers who are games masters/mistresses as well as 100 students drawn from various Secondary Schools across Kwara State.
Addressing the participants, Kwara State Governor and the Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq who was represented by Chairman, Kwara State Sports Commission, Bola Mogaji applauded the BFN and the BWF as well as the (CSED) Initiative for the bold steps to develop badminton in Nigeria.
He noted that government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of sports called on corporate bodies, organizations and individuals to join hands with the government to take sports to greater heights.
The Governor commended the participants for their conduct, advising them not to derail from their focus.
He reiterated the determination of the state government to always support sports in view of its potential to improve the economy of the athletes, the state and the nation.
Governor AbdulRasaq urged the games masters and mistresses to be good ambassadors of the state and implement the training to the students.
The representative of the Governor later announced the personal donation of N200,000 to stage State Secondary Schools Badminton Championship urging the State Badminton Association to work out the modalities for a hitch free tournament.
The Chairman, Kwara State Badminton Association, Suleiman Warah, advised the participants to embrace badminton, describing it as a lovely game and the students can make career out of it while pursuing their academic programme.
Warah stated that the association would not relent in contributing its quota to the development of Badminton.
The Technical Director, BFN, Coach Tunde Kazeem charged the participants to spread the message to the grassroots which is the essence of the training.
He disclosed the intention of the body to organise badminton championship among secondary schools in the state.
National Coordinator Shuttle Time Nigeria, Coach Tajudeen Suleiman, said 28 teachers, and 102 students from 28 schools attended the two day programme that featured tips on how to raise beginners in badminton using Shuttle Time resources.
Chairman, Association of School Sports Officers, Suleiman Yusuf Ademola, appreciated the WBF, BFN and their partners for the opportunity promising to go the extra mile to ensure the development of Badminton at the grassroots.
Also in their comments, some of the games masters, Shorun Esther Iyiola from Queen Elizabeth School, Ilorin and Suleiman Yusuf from Madi Community secondary schools, Ilorin and the students, Taiye Onimago, Lukman Ishaq from Odo-Okun Secondary School, Rodiat Yunus and Salimat Abdulwasiu Yuslat College, Ilorin, expressed hope to improve the game of Badminton as they have gained some knowledge in the course of the training.
At the end of the two-day course, certificates were awarded to the participants by BWF and
100 rackets, 25 tubes of shuttle corks and 25 nets were given to the participating schools to ensure the take-off of badminton in the schools.
The Shuttle Time train moves to Zaria in Kaduna State later this month.
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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