Joel Ajayi
Badminton Federation of Nigeria ,BFN, has opened its training camp ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games between July 26 to August 11.
Two-time African Games Champion and four-time African Senior Champion, Anuoluwapo Opeyori is Nigeria’s sole representative in the badminton event at the Games.
President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih revealed that Anuoluwapo Opeyori is paired with two national team players, Victor Ikechukwu and Emmanuel Joseph at the Badmintonn section facility at Ikoyi Club 1938.
Orbih said the Federation has concluded plans for the second stage of camping for Opeyori in Italy.
He said, “Before the announcement of the ministry’s camping programme, the BFN decided to put our qualified athlete, Anuoluwapo Opeyori in camp alongside two national team players, Victor Ikechukwu and Emmanuel Joseph at the Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos. The Federation chose Ikoyi Club because it has one of the best badminton facilities in the country and the Federation has been in a collaborative partnership with the Club.
“The players are currently being handled by Coach Ben Orakpor who is one of our experienced coaches in the country. There is no time to waste because we have less than two months until the Paris 2024 Olympics and the Federation wants to ensure Opeyori is in top shape.
“Opeyori only has 10 days in Nigeria before he departs for his first phase of the foreign training camp in Italy. We want him to have access to world-class facilities and play against some top-ranked players in Europe”.
Orbih noted that the African Champion will join the foreign camp organised by the Federal Ministry of Sports in Germany from July 1 – 21.
He said, “We have agreed that Anuoluwapo Opeyori will join the foreign camp organised by the Federal Ministry of Sports in Germany from July 1- 21 and in between play the Mauritius international from to July 11 – 14.
“The Badminton Federation of Nigeria will continue to monitor the progress of Opeyori and hope he surpasses his previous record at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics”.
