Nigeria’s Para Badminton team delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 Uganda Para Badminton International Championship, returning home with a total of 14 medals, including nine gold and five silver medals.

The championship, held in Uganda from July 7 to 12, saw Nigerian athletes dominate several categories, further strengthening the country’s reputation as one of Africa’s leading para badminton nations.

Leading Nigeria’s impressive medal haul was Lyka Brown, who captured gold in the WH1 Women’s Singles before teaming up with Chukwuemeka Ijeoma Gift to secure another gold medal in the WH1 & WH2 Women’s Doubles event.

Chukwuemeka Ijeoma Gift also struck gold in the WH2 Women’s Singles, adding to Nigeria’s growing collection of titles.

In the men’s wheelchair category, Emmanuel Ifeanacho Ohaeri emerged champion in the WH2 Men’s Singles and later partnered with Lyka Brown to win gold in the WH1 & WH2 Mixed Doubles event.

Ohaeri also combined with Ekeoma Samuel to claim silver in the WH1 & WH2 Men’s Doubles, while Samuel secured another silver medal in the WH1 Men’s Singles. Samuel and Chukwuemeka Ijeoma Gift further added a silver medal in the WH1 & WH2 Mixed Doubles competition.

Nigeria’s dominance extended to the standing categories, where Obinna Precious Nwosu won gold in the SL3 Men’s Singles, ahead of compatriot Eze Sunday Chukwuebuka, who claimed silver in the same event.

Nnanna Jeremiah Chigozie also struck gold in the SL4 Men’s Singles and later teamed up with Eze Sunday Chukwuebuka to win the SL3 & SU5 Men’s Doubles title.

In the SU5 category, Eneojo Elijah Agada captured gold in the singles event before partnering Obinna Precious Nwosu to secure silver in the SL3-SU5 Men’s Doubles.

Reacting to the team’s performance, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, praised the athletes for their remarkable achievements and said their success had further elevated Nigeria’s standing ahead of future continental and global competitions.

“The para badminton athletes have once again shown that the country can depend on them in terms of winning medals and making the country proud,” Orbih said.

“This current board will continue to support the para athletes and ensure they get all the necessary support.

“Our target is the Paralympic Games. We want to qualify as many athletes as possible with the aim of making a huge mark following the exploit of Eniola Bolaji.”

Orbih also acknowledged the contributions of sponsors and stakeholders who supported the team’s participation at the championship.

“I want to thank the Abia State Government for sponsoring six players, and the Bayelsa State Government as well as the Police College Badminton Club Lagos for footing the bills of one player each,” he said.

“The Federation is ready to partner with them and many other organisations in the future.”

The impressive showing in Uganda is expected to boost Nigeria’s preparations for upcoming international competitions as the country continues its drive to qualify more athletes for future Paralympic Games and major global championships.

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ABUJA — The Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) has received a significant boost to its grassroots and elite athlete development programmes following the donation of badminton equipment by the Badminton Association of Japan under the Japanese Government’s Sport for Tomorrow (SFT) initiative.

The presentation ceremony, held in Abuja, underscored the growing sporting relationship between Nigeria and Japan and drew a host of dignitaries, including Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Habu Gumel, Director General of the National Institute for Sports, Philip Shaibu, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Anthony Adegboye.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Suzuki described the donation as a reflection of the strong friendship between both countries and a demonstration of sport’s capacity to foster international cooperation and mutual understanding.

According to the ambassador, the donation forms part of Japan’s Sport for Tomorrow programme, which promotes global sporting exchanges and development through strategic partnerships.

He explained that the initiative emerged from discussions between President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, and President of the Badminton Association of Japan, Mitsuru Murai, both members of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Council. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also supported the project by covering the cost of transporting the equipment to Nigeria.

The donated items comprise 55 badminton rackets, 44 shuttlecocks, six racket covers and three racket bags.

“We sincerely hope this donation will contribute to the continued growth and development of badminton in Nigeria, enabling more people to enjoy the sport and inspiring the younger generation to pursue their sporting dreams,” Ambassador Suzuki said.

Responding, BFN President Francis Orbih expressed gratitude to the Japanese Government and the Badminton Association of Japan, describing the gesture as a major intervention that would positively impact the sport’s development in the country.

“We are very happy as a federation. We see it as a commendable gesture, and we are looking forward to building on this partnership because equipment is critical to players’ development,” Orbih said.

The BFN president revealed that the federation has secured an additional shipment of 500 badminton rackets, 100 nets and 200 shuttlecocks, a development he described as a major breakthrough in addressing one of the key challenges facing badminton development in Nigeria.

Orbih also disclosed plans to register badminton academies nationwide and launch a National Badminton League to strengthen grassroots participation and create a structured pathway for emerging talents.

According to him, the newly donated equipment will primarily support members of Nigeria’s senior and junior national teams, while additional equipment will be deployed for competitions and grassroots programmes such as Shuttle Time to encourage wider participation in the sport.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, praised the federation for attracting international partnerships capable of accelerating athlete development and raising standards within the sport.

He noted that access to quality badminton equipment would improve training conditions for Nigerian players and enhance their competitiveness on the international stage.

Dikko also commended the Japanese Government for its support, describing the donation as another milestone in the growing collaboration between Nigeria and Japan.

The Badminton Federation of Nigeria reiterated its commitment to leveraging strategic partnerships to deepen grassroots participation, improve athlete development and strengthen the country’s position as one of Africa’s leading badminton nations.
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DUBLIN, Ireland, June 28 – Nigeria’s para badminton star Eniola Bolaji continued her impressive rise on the international circuit by winning a silver medal at the 2026 British & Irish Para Badminton International on Sunday.

The Paralympic bronze medallist and World Championships silver medallist finished runner-up in the women’s SL3 singles event after losing 21-18, 23-21 to Japan’s Shino Kawai in a closely contested final at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena in Dublin.

Despite falling short of the title, Bolaji produced a series of commanding performances en route to the final, underlining her status as one of the world’s leading para badminton players.

The Nigerian began her campaign with victories over India’s Neeraj, winning 21-15, 21-3, before overcoming France’s Milena Surreau 21-19, 21-13 in the group stage.

She maintained her dominant form in the knockout rounds, defeating Türkiye’s Halime Yildiz 21-16, 21-7 in the quarter-finals before dismantling Australia’s Celine Vinot 21-7, 21-9 in the semi-finals to secure a place in the championship match.

Although Kawai once again proved a difficult obstacle, Bolaji pushed the Japanese star all the way in a fiercely fought final, particularly in the second game, which was decided by the narrowest of margins.

Reacting to the result, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, hailed Bolaji’s achievement and expressed confidence that the Nigerian could soon reverse the outcome against her Japanese rival.

“It was a fantastic performance, and I am very happy with what Eniola achieved,” Orbih said. “I am motivated to intensify efforts to ensure she trains outside the country because it is only a matter of time before she starts beating the Japanese player, Shino Kawai.

“I have congratulated her for setting the tone once again, and we are looking forward to arranging a three-month training tour abroad to further improve her game.”

Orbih revealed that the federation is already working on plans to secure an overseas training programme for Bolaji as part of efforts to help her regain the world number one ranking, which she recently lost to Kawai.

The BFN president also acknowledged the support provided by the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Badminton Confederation Africa (BCA), as well as sponsors Yonex and GIG Logistics in aiding the athlete’s development.

Bolaji’s silver-medal performance in Dublin adds another significant achievement to her growing list of international successes and reinforces Nigeria’s increasing presence in global para badminton.

With further international exposure and specialised training programmes in the pipeline, Nigerian officials remain optimistic that Bolaji can challenge for more major titles and establish herself once again as the world’s top-ranked SL3 women’s singles player.

 

 

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