The Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) has received a major boost to its grassroots development programme following the donation of badminton equipment by the Badminton Association of Japan under the “Sport for Tomorrow (SFT)” initiative.
The equipment was officially presented on Wednesday in Abuja by the Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, H.E. Suzuki Hideo, during a ceremony attended by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Malam Shehu Dikko, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, sports administrators and stakeholders.
The donation, which included 55 badminton rackets, 44 shuttlecocks, six racket covers and three racket bags, is aimed at strengthening badminton development in Nigeria and promoting stronger sporting ties between Japan and Nigeria.
Speaking after the presentation, BFN President Francis Orbih described the donation as timely and significant, stressing that quality equipment remains one of the biggest challenges confronting the growth of badminton in Nigeria.
“We are very happy and deeply appreciative of this intervention. We don’t want this to be a one-off gesture because equipment is extremely important for player development. Without a racket, there is no way an athlete can express himself or herself on the court. Having the right equipment is the first step towards producing champions,” Orbih said.
He disclosed that another consignment of over 500 badminton rackets, nets and shuttlecocks had already arrived in Nigeria and would soon be distributed across the country to support player development.
According to him, the federation is determined to ensure that the equipment reaches both elite athletes and aspiring young players.
“Our priority is to equip our national team players, both senior and junior, because they represent Nigeria at international competitions. Beyond that, the larger quantity of rackets coming into the country will be dedicated to grassroots development. We will take badminton to schools, train games masters and support badminton academies with equipment to encourage wider participation,” he explained.
Orbih also revealed that the federation is working towards establishing Nigeria’s first National Badminton League.
“We have already started discussions with our Technical Committee. We want to register badminton academies across the country and very soon we will launch a National Badminton League. It is one of our major development projects because competition is essential for player growth,” he added.
The federation president noted that Nigeria currently has over 2,000 active badminton players, adding that continued support from international partners would help bridge the equipment gap and accelerate talent discovery nationwide.
Earlier in his remarks, Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Suzuki Hideo, described the donation as another milestone in the sporting relationship between both countries.
He said the donation forms part of Japan’s “Sport for Tomorrow” initiative, a programme designed to promote international cooperation and friendship through sports.
According to the Ambassador, the project originated from discussions between Francis Orbih, who serves as a Council Member of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), and the President of the Badminton Association of Japan, Mitsuru Murai, who is also a BWF Council Member.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan was pleased to support this initiative by covering the international transportation costs so that these valuable items could reach Nigeria,” Suzuki said.
He explained that although the equipment had previously been used, it was carefully maintained in line with Japan’s culture of preserving valuable items.
“In Japan, we believe that taking good care of the things we use reflects respect, gratitude and responsibility. We sincerely hope these items will continue to serve Nigerian badminton players for many years and contribute to the growth of the sport, especially among young people,” he stated.
The ambassador added that sports possess the unique ability to unite people beyond borders while strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between nations.
Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Malam Shehu Dikko, commended the Badminton Federation of Nigeria for attracting international support through credible leadership and effective administration.
He noted that access to quality equipment would significantly improve athletes’ preparation for international competitions.
“Some of these badminton rackets are highly specialised and very expensive. In the past, some of our athletes only encountered such equipment when they travelled abroad for competitions. Having them available in Nigeria means our players can train with world-class equipment before competing internationally, which will certainly improve performance,” Dikko said.
The NSC Chairman described the donation as evidence of growing confidence in Nigeria’s sports administration and applauded the Japanese Government for its continued support.
He also expressed optimism about Team Nigeria’s chances at the forthcoming Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, insisting that the country’s athletes have enjoyed one of the best preparation programmes in recent history.
“Our athletes have been in Aberdeen since the beginning of July after several weeks of camping in Abuja. They are training under excellent conditions and are delighted with the quality of facilities and equipment provided. We have projected between 16 and 22 gold medals, and we are confident that Team Nigeria is fully prepared to make the country proud,” Dikko said.
The ceremony underscored the growing partnership between Nigeria and Japan in sports development, with stakeholders expressing confidence that sustained collaboration and increased investment in grassroots programmes will further elevate Nigerian badminton on the global stage
