By Joel Ajayi
A passionate call has gone out to the Federal Government not to let the hard work and sacrifices of athletes in non-football sports go unrecognized, as stakeholders in the Nigerian sports community commend the government’s recent gesture toward the Super Falcons while urging more inclusive recognition.
This call was made by the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, during an interview with Journalists on Friday in Abuja.
Orbih praised the government for honouring the Super Falcons following their triumph at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), but emphasized that other athletes who have also brought glory to the country deserve equal treatment.
“We commend the Federal Government for what they did for the Super Falcons. It was unprecedented and well deserved.
“But there are many other athletes from different sports who have also done Nigeria proud, and their efforts must not go in vain.”
He pointed to the recent exploits of Nigeria’s para-badminton star, Eniola Bolaji who stunned the world by defeating the reigning world number one at a major international competition in Britain.
According to him, this achievement not only made headlines globally but also affirmed Nigeria’s growing strength in the sport.
Bolaji’s performance was outstanding. She beat the same player who denied her gold at the last Paralympic Games.
“She’s currently ranked number two in the world, and she’s closing in on the top spot. For an entire week, she was the most talked-about athlete in global badminton circles. That is no small feat.”
He strongly advocated for Bolaji and other athletes in different sports federations to be recognized at the highest level, including through a presidential reward.
The BFN president also used the opportunity to reflect on recent developments in the sport, particularly the return of the National Para-Badminton Championship, which hadn’t been held since 2022.
He said the event served as a successful test-run ahead of two major international tournaments scheduled for September and October this year.
Orbih lauded the Abia State Government, under Governor Dr. Alex Otti, for its remarkable support in hosting the championship. He cited the provision of new equipment, including an accessible sports bus and specialized mats, and the renovation of the International Conference Centre in Umuahia to international standards.
He concluded with a call for the institutionalization of athlete recognition policies across all sports.
“Let’s make it a matter of policy. Every athlete who lifts the Nigerian flag high—whether in football, Badminton, Gymnastics, swimming or any other sport deserves equal recognition,” he said
