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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Nigeria’s Paris 2024 Paralympic bronze medallist Eniola Bolaji is already on the path to an Olympic medal. She added a gold medal to her growing collection at the 2025 Spanish Para-Badminton International II in Vitoria, making it 11 out of 11 internationals she has played so far.

Her feat at the Paris 2024 ignited the Badminton Confederation Africa (BCA) to begin the sensitization of Africans for possible medals at the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

She has again proven her mettle! The multiple African champion beat Ukraine’s Oksana Kozyba 2-0 (21-15, 21-15) dominating the women’s singles SL3 final category.

Her path to gold was nothing short of impressive. Her path is littered with the carcasses of defeated highly rated players.

Eniola Bolaji on her path to glory

Bolaji first defeated Brazil’s Kauana Michelson Beckenka of Brazil 2-0 (21-15, 21-2) and then France’s Caroline Bergeron 2-0 (21-7, 21-8) at the group stage before cruising through the quarterfinals, where she beat Australia’s Celine Vinot 2-0 (21-8, 21-12).

In the semifinals, Bolaji showcased her exceptional form with a dominant 2-0 (21-12, 21-6) win over India’s Neeraj, booking her spot in the final.

The performance has highlighted the progress badminton has made in Nigeria in the current dispensation.

It is like singing the old famous song: “Let’s do it again” that was made popular in the 1970s.

Francis Orbih, a self-effacing but hardworking chieftain of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria praised Bolaji’s remarkable achievement, noting that the gold marks her second in just two months.

He expressed confidence in the Federation’s ongoing investment in Paralympic athletes, emphasising continued support for Bolaji and other para badminton players.

He said, “Bolaji’s victory is a testament to her dedication and her rising dominance on the world para badminton stage. This gold is her second in just two months, and it shows that our athletes are capable of competing at the highest level.

“We are committed to investing in Bolaji and all our para badminton players. Their success is a reflection of the hard work and resources we are putting into developing the sport. This victory is just one of many more to come.

“One of our focus as a Federation is to ensure more players qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and Paralympics”, he added.

He also thanked the National Sports Commission for their timely intervention, which has been crucial in aiding the federation’s growth. The Commission’s support and encouragement spells a new dawn for Sports development in Nigeria.

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The Edo Sports Commission and the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) have held a two-day badminton training for games masters/mistresses in Uzarue, in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The event, which was held at the premises of St Angela’s Girls Grammar School Uzarue was attended by 21 teachers and 84 students from 21 secondary schools in Etsako land, as well as secondary schools from Igarra, Afuze and Ikpeshi.

The unique thing about this grassroots badminton training is that it provides teachers and students with the opportunity to learn the basics of a sport together at the same time.

The training involved the theoretical aspect of the game and more importantly the practical area of badminton.

All’s well that ends well. A group photograph of all the participants.

The training was conducted by three qualified “Shuttle Time” trainers, Godswill Afejika, Olalekan, Fajimiyo, and Blessing Osayomwanbo.

The trainees were taught shaped grip and the thumb grip. There was also court work with balloons. Balloons were used for services and smashing drills.

On the second day of the training event, the three trainers held a session with the game’s masters/mistresses.

This was followed by a session with the students. The games masters/mistresses were taught the technical aspect of badminton, which involves officiating, rules of the game, safeguarding, and the roles of the games masters/mistress in developing the game in their various schools.

The students had their practical session on basic badminton grips, strokes, footwork and the rules of the game with the use of balloons.

The training event, which was bankrolled by Edo State Sports Commission with the technical support of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) was powered by CSED (Community Sport and Educational Development) Initiative.

The event is a reflection of what can be achieved at the grassroots level if government agencies (education, sport and health), sporting federations/associations and the third sector (NGOs and private individuals) collaborate to share knowledge and resources to use access to sports to build the capacity of teachers and students.

At the end of the training event, free basic badminton equipment (nets, rackets and shuttlecocks) was distributed to the 21 schools in order to support the learning and practicing of the students and their teachers in their various schools.

Distribution of equipment to representatives of the schools.

Since the current Board Members of the BFN assumed office, they have worked hard to attract the support of different organisations and sponsors in their attempt to attract new and young players to the game of badminton.

This they have done by organizing “Shuttle Time” training as well as “badminton outreach training in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria, through the BFN partnership with CSED Initiative.

It is hoped that other sports federations would emulate the grassroots developmental effort of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, who have also taken the game to at-risk groups (IDPs and asylum seekers) in Nigeria.

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