Badminton
GIG Logistics Champions Sports Inclusion with Sponsorship of Para-Badminton Star Eniola Bolaji
In a landmark move that underscores the role of corporate Nigeria in sports development, GIG Logistics (GIGL) has announced its sponsorship of para-badminton sensation Eniola Mariam Bolaji as she builds momentum toward the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
The sponsorship, unveiled on Thursday at a grand ceremony in Abuja, positions GIGL as a trailblazer in corporate social responsibility (CSR), with the company pledging to cover Bolaji’s participation in at least three major international championships annually for the next four years.
The support includes travel, logistics, equipment and kits, providing a comprehensive framework for her success on the global stage.
Speaking at the unveiling, GIGL Chief Executive Officer Sebastine Osita, represented by Gloria Edozie, General Manager of Business Services, said the initiative reflects the company’s long-term vision for youth empowerment, inclusion, and national pride.
“At GIG Logistics, we don’t just move parcels, we move dreams. Supporting Eniola is about more than her exceptional achievements on the badminton court; it is about investing in resilience, ambition, and the power to inspire,” Osita said.
“This partnership reflects our broader CSR commitment to creating opportunities for young Nigerians to thrive.”
Bolaji, currently ranked World No. 2, has become a symbol of resilience and excellence. Her glittering record includes gold medals at four international tournaments in 2025 and a historic bronze at the Paris Paralympics — Africa’s first medal in Olympic or Paralympic badminton.
With an unbeaten run of 14 championships and 14 gold medals, she is widely regarded as one of the sport’s most dominant athletes.
National Sports Commission (NSC) boss, Shehu Dikko, joins in hailing the GIG Logistics’ gesture. General Abdullahi Maikano, President of the Organisation of Military Sports in Africa, also praises the gesture. Cephas Lar, former BFN and Badminton Confederation of Africa President, adds his commendation.
But at the heart of Thursday’s announcement was not just Bolaji’s story; it was the message of what corporate Nigeria can achieve when it invests in talent.
BFN President Francis Orbih lauded GIGL for leading by example.
“This partnership is transformational. Beyond supporting an athlete, GIG Logistics is setting a precedent for how corporate Nigeria can fuel dreams and elevate sports. It is a defining moment in the history of Nigerian badminton,” Orbih said.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, described the deal as a milestone in sports development.
“This is the model we have been advocating — corporate Nigeria stepping in to support athletes with vision and commitment. GIGL has demonstrated that investing in talent builds not only careers but national pride,” Dikko noted.
For Bolaji, the partnership is deeply personal.
“I am very happy and motivated by this massive sponsorship. I look forward to making Nigeria and Africa proud,” she said, visibly moved at the ceremony.
The event, attended by prominent sports administrators including former BFN and BCA President Cephas Lar and General Abdullahi Maikano of the Organisation of Military Sports in Africa, highlighted the potential of corporate-sports partnerships to shape Nigeria’s future on the global stage.
By backing Bolaji, GIGL has extended its CSR philosophy beyond logistics and business into the arena of human potential — championing inclusion, empowering youth, and reinforcing Nigeria’s place in international sports.
With this bold step, the company has not only given Eniola Bolaji a platform to soar but has also set a powerful example of how private sector leadership can transform sports development in Nigeria.
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The Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) has continued its nationwide grassroots development drive with a two-day outreach training held in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.
Organised in collaboration with the Adamawa State Sports Council, the State Ministry of Education, and the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF), Adamawa chapter, the training took place on 24 and 25 September 2025 at the General Murtala Mohammed College hall.
A total of 20 Physical Education teachers and 80 secondary school students from the Yola area participated in the intensive programme, which aimed to introduce badminton to schools and promote the sport at the grassroots level.
The training was facilitated by a team of five coaches led by George Shitta, who also serves as the Director of Sports at the Taraba State Sports Commission. Participants were taken through the fundamentals of badminton, including grip techniques, footwork, serving, stroke execution, game strategy, and proper warm-up routines.
According to the organisers, the programme was part of the BFN’s ongoing partnership with the Community Sports and Educational Development (CSED) Initiative, which has supported similar “Shuttle Time” and “Outreach Badminton Training” sessions across the country over the past three years. These sessions are designed to help teachers and students learn the game together while fostering teamwork, discipline, and social development.
The trainees actively engaged with the coaches — asking questions, sharing experiences, and demonstrating newly acquired skills. At the end of the programme, each participating school received badminton kits, including rackets, shuttlecocks, and nets, to help sustain practice beyond the training.
The Director of the Adamawa State Sports Council, Mr. Daniel Ahmed, graced the event, while the lead facilitator, George Shitta, paid courtesy visits to key education stakeholders — Hajiya Aisha M. Umar, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, and Birsan Panuel, Executive Secretary of the Post Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB).
Organisers described the initiative as a model of effective collaboration among sports authorities, education agencies, and development partners — a partnership they hope will continue to enhance both the academic and athletic growth of teachers, coaches, and students in Adamawa State.
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The curtain fell on the 8th Lagos International Badminton Classics at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Saturday, with host nation Nigeria making the podium and the event earning praise as a model for sports tourism in Africa.
Though global heavyweights dominated the finals, Nigeria’s Obanisola and her partner gave the home crowd reason to cheer by clinching bronze in the Women’s Doubles, ensuring the green and white were represented on the podium.
Elsewhere, India’s S. Lele defended her Women’s Singles crown with a 21-15, 21-17 victory over compatriot Kashyap, while Russia’s neutral duo Alimov and Ogloblin sealed Men’s Doubles gold against UAE’s Ravikrishna and Rimdahoi.
Tournament organizers hailed the event as a resounding success. “The Lagos International Badminton Classics has once again proven that Nigeria is ready to host world-class sporting events,” said Francis Orbih, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN). “We are building a brand that showcases Africa’s talent, hospitality, and passion for badminton.”
With $17,500 prize money shared among winners and athletes praising the hospitality of Lagos, the championship reaffirmed Nigeria’s growing profile as a hub for global sports. The 9th edition in 2026 promises an even bigger spectacle.
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Indonesia stamped their authority on the 8th Lagos International Badminton Classics, turning the Teslim Balogun Stadium into a stage of triumph as they swept multiple gold medals on the final day of action.
From the opening Mixed Doubles clash to the showpiece Men’s Singles final, the Southeast Asian powerhouse asserted its dominance.
The pair of Prasetyo and Munggaren set the tone by defeating India’s Ravat and Maneesha 21-15, 21-17, before P. Shujiwo powered past Japan’s M. Koga 21-15, 21-17 in a pulsating Men’s Singles final.
The Indonesians celebrate in style
The Women’s Doubles final confirmed Indonesia’s superiority, with Meida and Nastine dispatching UAE’s Quathun and Sreejithparol in just 25 minutes (21-18, 21-7), the shortest contest of the evening.
The highlight of the celebrations came as Indonesia’s national anthem echoed repeatedly through the Okoya Thomas Indoor Hall, with Ambassador Bambang Suharto personally presenting the Men’s Singles trophy to Shujiwo — a moment that underscored the national pride attached to the victories.
With three golds and several silver finishes, Indonesia emerged as the undisputed star nation of Africa’s premier badminton competition.
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