Badminton
Badminton fever spreads to Uromi as Francis Ibhawoh Foundation holds training sessions
After chatting the course to Olympic glory and with the Los Angeles Games in view, badminton is fast spreading like wildfire into every part of Nigeria.
Recently Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) with the support of the continental body, the Badminton Confederation Africa (BCA) held a coaching course.
Other bodies have taken the baton with the Francis Ibhawoh Foundation taking the lead by organizing training courses for prospective badminton players in secondary schools in Uromi, Edo State.
It was also extended to game masters and mistresses in Uromi in Esan Northeast Local Government Area of Edo state.
The event was held in collaboration with BFN, the Edo State Ministry of Education, and the Edo State Sports Commission and powered by CSED (Community Sport and Educational Development) Initiative.
The two-day training event involving 69 students from 23 secondary schools, was held at the indoor hall of Esan Model Grammar School on 22 and 23 January 2025.
Three badminton “Shuttle Time” trained coaches, Godswill Ifejika, Olalekan, Fajimiyo, and Blessing Osayomwanbo were on the ground to offer the basic skills to the students.
The badminton outreach for secondary schools’ project is designed to teach game masters and mistresses and the students, the basic skills in Badminton.It is one of the rare training events in sports where students and their teachers learn a sport together at the same time.
The game master of Irrua Girls Secondary School, Ambrose Okonofua remarked that “we were pleased with the training which has impacted positively on us and our students.
“The program has in the last two days engaged the minds of the students and I am confident of seeing world champions emerging from these badminton outreach training events in Nigeria in future.”
Also, one of the coaches, Olalekan Fajimiyo commended the schools for their massive turnout and their show of passion adding that, it was one outreach with very high numbers of participants in attendance at the grassroots level.
Declaring the event closed, the Commissioner of Education who was represented by the Principal of Ujoelen Grammar School, Ekpoma, commended the sponsors for their commitment towards the development of badminton in Edo State and the country in general.
She also applauded the turnout of secondary schools and said that it is a reflection that Edo State is the hub of sports in Nigeria.
She also thanked the Trustees of the Francis Ibhawoh Foundation for bringing badminton to their doorstep.
She expressed the hope that other prominent sons and daughters of Esanland will strive to bring pro-social activities that will have a positive impact on the people of Esanland.
The highlight of the outreach training was the presentation of basic badminton equipment (rackets, nets & shuttles) to all the 23 secondary schools that participated in the outreach training courtesy of Francis Ibhawoh Foundation and CSED Initiative.
It would be recalled that in the past three years, the BFN has embarked on using outreach training and their Shuttle Time training to spread the development of the games in different towns and cities in Nigeria.
This has made BFN to be the most students and teachers friendly sports Federation in Nigeria.
The BFN has also taken the game to IDP Camp Uhogua and specifically trained asylum seekers/refugees on how to play badminton in Ogoja (Cross River State).
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The Indoor Sports Hall of the Ondo State Sports Commission in Akure hosted a three-day Shuttle Time Teachers Course from June 26th to 28th, 2025, drawing participants from 17 schools across the state in a bid to expand grassroots badminton development.
The course kicked off at 12:30 p.m. on a rainy Thursday, with an initial attendance of 17 teachers, one coach, and 56 students. By the second day, participation grew to include three coaches and 72 students, bringing the total number of attendees to 92.
Facilitators guided the teachers through the structured Shuttle Time curriculum, which includes a Teachers’ Manual, Lesson Plans, and instructional video clips—resources developed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and accessible both in print and online through the BWF website and the Shuttle Time App.
Participants were introduced to the four key learning phases:
- “Starters Lesson” (Lessons 1–10): Basic front court activities and skills
- “Swing and Throw” (Lessons 11–12): Transition to mid-court
- “Throw and Hit” (Lessons 13–18): Rear court development
- “Learn to Win” (Lessons 19–22): Introduction to tactical gameplay
The course was hands-on, with teachers assessed on their delivery by engaging students directly. Students, in turn, provided feedback on what they had learned, with only minimal corrections required—an indication of the teachers’ grasp of the training.
On the final day, the remaining modules were completed, with both teachers and students actively participating in practical sessions.
Each participating school received a badminton starter kit comprising four rackets, a net, and four shuttlecocks to help implement the sport in their respective institutions. Participants were also kitted in branded Shuttle Time Nigeria T-shirts and treated to meals and refreshments throughout the programme.
Among dignitaries present at the event were the General Manager of the Ondo State Sports Council and the Chairman of the Ondo State Badminton Association, Chief Olu Adekunle Ajanaku.
In his remarks, Chief Ajanaku pledged to expand the Shuttle Time Teachers Course to all local government areas in the state and promised to organize a zonal U-15 badminton championship before year’s end.
The event marked a milestone, being the first time that branded Shuttle Time Nigeria T-shirts were worn by all categories of participants, including students, teachers, and games masters and mistresses.
Gratitude was extended to the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), its President, Francis Orbih, and Mrs. Oby Solaja for their support and approval of the course.
Special appreciation was also given to the Community Sport and Educational Development (CSED) Initiative—BFN’s grassroots development partner—for donating the equipment distributed to schools.
Organisers described the course as a “huge success,” setting a strong foundation for the spread of badminton across schools in Ondo State.
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Badminton
Former Super Eagles player, Ojigwe, gets committee membership of Abia International Para Badminton Championship
A former Super Eagles defensive midfielder, Pascal Karibe Ojigwe, is one of the 14-man Local Organising Committee (LOC) inaugurated on Friday for the first Abia Para Badminton International Championship, which will hold later this year in Umuahia.
Ojigwe played for the Super Eagles at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations in Mali.
Along with the LOC was the inauguration of the Main Organising Committee, the MOC.
The inauguration ceremony by the Abia State government was held at the Government House in Umuahia, in the office of the Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu.
The 1st Abia Para Badminton International Championship is scheduled to be held from September 30 to October 5, 2025, followed by the All-Africa Para Badminton Championship from October 6 to 12, 2025.
President, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih commended Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for his significant investment in sports development.
He noted that both championships would have a substantial economic impact on the state and attract international recognition to Abia’s progress under Governor Otti’s administration.
“This marks Nigeria’s first time hosting an international para badminton championship, which reflects our shared commitment to advancing para sports,” Orbih said.
He added, “Your Excellency, by hosting this historic event, you are not only making a powerful statement about equity and opportunity but also positioning Abia State as a beacon of progress in sports development, both nationally and across the continent.
“This championship offers tremendous opportunities—it will stimulate the local economy, attract international attention, and inspire a new generation of para-athletes across Africa.”
Orbih assured the state of the BFN’s full support, pledging technical expertise and collaboration to ensure the event meets international standards.
He also charged committee members to uphold professionalism and integrity in the discharge of their duties:
“I urge you to work with unity, transparency, and excellence. The eyes of the continent, and indeed the global badminton community, will be on Abia, and I am confident you will rise to the occasion.”
Orbih also referenced Eniola Bolaji’s historic achievement at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, which brought global recognition to both Nigeria and Africa in para badminton.
In his remarks, Governor Alex Otti, represented by Deputy Governor Emetu, expressed pride in the achievements of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria and the state’s local Association.
He praised their dedication and emphasised Abia’s potential to become a leading hub for badminton in Africa.
Emetu also encouraged stakeholders to invest in grassroots development to nurture the next generation of champions.
The Governor further congratulated Francis Orbih on his election to the Badminton World Federation Council, recognising it as a milestone for Nigerian badminton on the global stage.
After the inauguration, the committee members embarked on an inspection tour of the facilities for the events, after which Orbih said, “I want to say I am impressed with the level of renovation work going on at the venue.
“We also visited designated official hotels for the event to make sure they are up to the standards set for such events”.
List of Main Organising Committee (MOC) Members:
Chairman: Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu
Vice Chairman: Francis Orbih
Members: Prescilia Alex Otti, Ekeoma Samuel, Hon. Nwaobillor Ananaba, George Obioma, Abel Sunday, Alhaji Mohammed Maina, Mallam Tunde Kazeem, Salihu Abubakar, Seyi Johnson, Sunday Odebode, Thecla Okpara, and Oludare Davies.
List of Local Organising Committee (LOC) Members:
Chairperson: Her Excellency, Priscillia Chioma Alex Otti
Vice Chairman: Celeb Ajagba
Members: Pascal Karibe Ojigwe, Francis Orbih, George Obioma, Abel Sunday, Ekeoma Samuel, Kenneth Odanwu, Dr. Eugene Ihuaba, George Shitta, Obiageli Solaja, Hon. Sulyman Shehu Warah, Amb. Yahaya Faruk, and Mallam Tunde Kazeem.
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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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