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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Eniola Bolaji, Nigeria’s sensational Paralympic bronze medallist has continued to do what she knows best – winning!

She has etched her name in history once again by clinching gold at the Egypt Para-Badminton International 2025.

In a commanding performance, Bolaji defeated Sweden’s Hillevi Salomonsson 2-0 (21-1, 21-2) in the women’s SL3 final on Sunday, underscoring her dominance in the event. The African champion also showcased her prowess throughout the tournament, overcoming Shahinda Mohamed (21-7, 21-2), Basma Nabil-Fawzy (21-6, 21-4), and Elizabeth Puma (21-2, 21-4) with straight-set victories in earlier rounds.

According to the Badminton World Federation, Bolaji has competed in 10 international championships over the past two years, emerging victorious in all—a remarkable feat that cements her as a force to be reckoned with in Para Badminton.

Reacting to her triumph, Francis Orbih, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, celebrated Bolaji’s achievement, highlighting its significance for Nigerian sports.

“Eniola Bolaji’s gold medal at the Egypt International 2025 is a testament to her unparalleled talent and dedication. As the first and only African medalist in Para Badminton at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, she has once again brought immense pride to Nigeria. Winning 10 consecutive international tournaments is no small feat; she is a national treasure and a global icon,” Orbih stated.

He added that Bolaji’s success is a beacon of hope for both Para Badminton and Badminton in Nigeria, inspiring athletes to strive for excellence in 2025.

Looking ahead, Orbih reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to hosting world-class events, including the Para Badminton International Championship and the All Africa para badminton championship in Abia State this October.

“The Badminton Federation of Nigeria, in collaboration with Abia State, is determined to deliver a successful Para Badminton International Championship and the All-African Para Badminton Championship. We are fully committed to meeting and exceeding international standards,” Orbih concluded.

Bolaji’s victory not only marks a golden start to the year but also solidifies her status as a trailblazer in Nigerian and African Badminton/Para badminton.

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