Badminton
Badminton chieftain, Orbih dreams of ‘born-again’ Lagos International Badminton Classic
BY JOSEPH ODOEKWU
The Lagos International Badminton Classics may from the next edition step up to the next level with a reinvigorated government-private partnership initiative.
President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) Francis Orbih believes that the governments at all levels cannot fund sports alone and if sports need to develop the private sector also has a role to play in its development in the country.
Orbih made the call on Saturday while addressing newsmen during the closing ceremony of the 7th edition of the Lagos Badminton Classics which took place at the Sir Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall inside the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
“Nigeria players need more encouragement and support because you know it will be difficult for most of these players to travel out for this kind of championships.
“And that is why we try to make this event an annual event so that they can have that opportunity to play the game at this level” Orbih hinted.
“They need the exposure because without it, there is a limit to what you can do so we have to challenge them, and to whom much is given, much is expected, and it is the much we can give to them that determines the much we expect from them”.
“In giving this much, we need the private sector for sports to grow and develop because the government cannot do it alone” Orbih emphasized.
On the just concluded 7th edition of the tournament Orbih noted that the championship has lived up to his expectations even though the Federation can do better, and one practice which they have adopted is to surpass the performance of the previous edition while hosting a current edition.
He further added that Nigeria had a good outing as we reached some semifinals in some categories while the mixed doubles reached the finals.
“For the men’s singles, our number one player was edged out in the quarterfinal, and it was at this same level in last year’s edition that he was edged out”. “We thought he would have improved this year and reach the final but that was not possible but I am expecting that we will improve on his performance in the next edition” an optimistic Orbih added
Orbih did not fail to remind all that Opeyori’s rise to stardom in Nigeria and Africa as whole was a journey that started so many years ago and so much need to be done if the younger ones have to rise to his level in the future.
“A lot of people who see Opeyori today think he just got to this level over night”. “They do not know what he has gone through to become Africa’s number one. We as a federation need to go back to the age-grade tournament at the U12, U15 and U17 level so we can start preparing them with lots of exposure to attain his level”. “There is no magic and there is no short cut and if we need to get more players like Opeyori, we need to invest more at the age-grade level and that is it”.
He also did not fail to state that Opeyori started the Lagos Badminton Classics from its first edition in 2014 and it was his exposure over the years through the event and other championships that gave him the experience needed which made him qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
On India’s domination of the Lagos Badminton Classics, Orbih noted that India is a powerhouse as far as badminton is concerned and it is because this tournament has a lot of world ranking players that makes it good for Nigerian players to take part in it so that they can also acquire exposure too.
The Badminton Federation of Nigeria has concluded a two-day strategic retreat in Abuja aimed at repositioning the sport for sustainable growth, grassroots expansion, elite performance and greater contribution to Nigeria’s sports economy.
The retreat, held from May 13 to 14, brought together major stakeholders in the sports sector, including the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Habu Gumel; Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko; President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih; as well as board members and technical officials.
Discussions at the retreat centred on developing a comprehensive strategic framework for badminton development, with a focus on grassroots expansion, elite athlete pathways, technical advancement, gender inclusion, competition structures, sports business opportunities and athlete welfare.
Speaking during the retreat, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko said the initiative aligns with the Commission’s Renewed Hope Initiative Framework, which requires sports federations to establish measurable and sustainable development plans.
According to Dikko, sports development must extend beyond the pursuit of medals to include economic growth, youth empowerment and sustainable sporting structures.
“This is part of what we have asked all federations to do. They must assess their capacity, define their short, medium and long-term goals, and come up with strategic plans that can guide their development programmes,” Dikko stated.
“You cannot isolate grassroots development from elite performance, technical growth or sports business. Everything must grow together if sports are to become a strong contributor to the Nigerian economy,” he added.
NOC President Habu Gumel commended the leadership of the federation for the steady progress badminton has recorded both locally and internationally.
Gumel stressed the importance of continuity and long-term planning in sustaining the growth of sports federations.
“Badminton is doing very well both in Nigeria and internationally, and the federation’s leadership has continued to position the sport positively so that our athletes can continue to make the country proud,” Gumel said.
“Federations must continue to build structures that will sustain progress, nurture talents and ensure continuity. What badminton is demonstrating today reflects vision, purpose and commitment to development,” he noted.
Earlier, BFN President Francis Orbih explained that the retreat was organised to align stakeholders behind a unified vision for the sport over the next four years and beyond.
Orbih said the federation’s development agenda remains holistic, focusing on player development, technical education, gender inclusion, administration and financial sustainability.
“This retreat is about having strategic conversations that will give direction to the future of badminton in Nigeria. Our focus is on grassroots development, technical advancement, elite performance and creating pathways that will consistently produce podium results,” Orbih said.
“As we develop players, we are also developing coaches, umpires, technical officials and administrators because every part of the system is important for sustainable growth. We also want more women involved both in playing and administration,” he added.
Technical Director of the federation, Tunde Kazeem, described the technical department as the engine room of badminton development and highlighted plans to strengthen coaching, officiating and player data management nationwide.
Kazeem said the federation would intensify grassroots and female badminton development through structured age-grade competitions, school programmes and nationwide talent identification initiatives.
“We are looking at the database of players, the number and grading of coaches, as well as technical officials, because you cannot develop players without sound coaches and efficient umpires,” Kazeem explained.
“We are paying more attention to female badminton while expanding grassroots tournaments across all zones with Under-12, Under-15, Under-19 and senior competitions. We are also engaging states on facilities development and preparing to host more national and continental events,” he added.
The retreat is expected to produce a detailed strategic framework that will guide the federation’s competition calendar, technical growth, talent identification system and international performance targets in line with Nigeria’s broader sports development agenda.
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Francis Orbih has been re-elected President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) for a third consecutive term, emerging unopposed at the federation’s elective congress held in Abuja.
Orbih secured all 13 votes cast during the congress, which took place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Monday, March 2. Adamu Alhaji Lawan was also elected as Vice President.
In his acceptance speech, Orbih congratulated the newly elected board members and expressed confidence in their ability to collectively move Nigerian badminton to greater heights.
“I want to congratulate the entire board member and I am confident that we are going to deliver,” Orbih said.
“There is a lot of work to be done. We have had humble achievements in the past. It is time for us to build on what we have achieved and consolidate to take the Federation to greater heights.”
Calling for unity and collaboration, Orbih urged stakeholders to play active roles in strengthening the federation’s programmes and expanding the sport’s reach across the country.
“I am counting on all of you to have your hands on deck because I cannot do it alone. Let us join hands to take the Federation to a level where we’ll be the envy of other sporting federations in Nigeria,” he added. “We have work to do. Whatever you can contribute to the growth and development of the Federation.”
During the inauguration of the new board, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, congratulated Orbih on his re-election and commended the federation for conducting a crisis-free electoral process.
National Sports Commission chairman, Shehu Dikko adresses the new board of the BFN
“I want to congratulate the board members for unanimously re-electing Francis Orbih and having a crisis-free election,” Dikko said.
He urged the president to consolidate on the gains recorded during his previous tenures and to intensify efforts over the next four years.
“Orbih has done well and deserves to be re-elected as a member of the African and World body. He has taken on huge debt by presenting himself as President of BFN, and he doesn’t have any other choice than to continue his good works,” Dikko added.
Orbih’s re-election is expected to provide continuity in the federation’s administration as it seeks to expand grassroots development, improve Nigeria’s international competitiveness and strengthen its presence within continental and global badminton bodies.
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The 2019 Africa Women in Badminton Award winner, Oby Solaja, has been returned for another four-year tenure in the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), reaffirming her enduring influence in the sport’s development.
Solaja’s re-election came during the BFN zonal election held in Enugu, where she emerged as the representative for the South East zone. Delegates affirmed her return in recognition of what officials described as her meritorious contributions to grassroots badminton development across the region.
A former multiple African champion, Solaja was among the global pioneering badminton players to feature at the Olympic Games, carving her name into the sport’s history before transitioning into administration.
Oby Solaja receives a new mandate to contribute to the development of badminton in Nigeria.
After retiring from competitive play, she equipped herself for sports governance by completing the six-module sports administration programme for the CIES/FIFA diploma at Cairo University — a move that strengthened her credentials in sports organisation and leadership.
Grassroots Focus in the Southeast
Over the past four years, Solaja has championed badminton development in Southeastern Nigeria through an annual championship organised in partnership with the Bet9ja Foundation. The tournament, held on a rotational basis across states in the region, has provided a competitive platform for emerging talents and reinforced grassroots participation.
Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Lloyd Ikechukwu Ekweremadu chats with the Southeast Badminton Championship Convener, Oby Edoga-Solaja
Her efforts have been widely credited with expanding the sport’s reach and encouraging youth engagement in badminton within the zone.
Speaking after her confirmation, Solaja pledged renewed vigour in spreading what she described as the “gospel of badminton,” emphasising continuity, talent discovery and structured development pathways.
She also expressed appreciation to Kunle Soname, whose Bet9ja Foundation has supported the propagation of badminton in the Southeast.
With her fresh mandate, stakeholders expect Solaja to consolidate existing programmes while strengthening institutional structures within the federation — a continuation of a journey that began on the court and now thrives in the boardroom.
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