…As the Federation rolls out more programs
Joel Ajayi
The Joyous and elated President of Nigeria Badminton Federation, Francis Orbih Esq, has heaped huge praises on the effort of an 18-year-old player, Mariam Eniola who in the history of the Federation won the first Paralympics medal at the ongoing Paralympic events in faraway Paris France.
Three days ago Eniola weathered the storm, and defeated her Ukrainian opponent, Oksana Kozyna, in straight sets 2-0 (21-9, 21-9) to win Nigeria’s 1st Paralympics medal in Paris.
Addressing Journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, inside the main bowl of Moshood Abiola National Stadium Obih described the Eniola feat as a great victory for not only Nigeria but in entire continent of Africa.
He expressed that the success is an attestation of hard work on the part of the federation to put the game of Badminton on the path of success adding that, feat remains a preparatory ground for something big to happen to Badminton and Para badminton in Nigeria
According to him, the Badminton family feels very proud to be associated with this very moment that history was made, not just for Nigerians, but for the entire continent.
“Eniola was the first African athlete to win a medal in Para-Badminton, winning a Bronze medal for Nigeria in the women’s Singles SL3.
“Helping Eniola’s course at the event was a result of the support and encouragement she received from BFN in exposing her to international play before the start of the Paralympics.”
“Seriously every member of the badminton family, particularly every Nigerian feels very proud to be associated with this very moment that history has been made”
“Eniola was the first African to win a medal either at the para or the normal Olympics, it’s a moment of joy and we’re very happy”
“What we needed to do as a federation was to give her enough support, and encouragement and expose her to more international play, and if at 18 she’s already been able to win a bronze medal, you can imagine what she’ll be before the next Olympic and am confident before then, she’ll become the world champion”
“Eniola’s victory is a preparatory ground for something big to happen to Para badminton in Nigeria” he stated.
When asked if the federation has a plan for more programs that will eventually lead to the discovery of more Eniola? He replied: “From the beginning of the year we focused on all Africa Games, Olympics qualifications, and some other grassroots programs, but now that these major international events are done with.
“We have some national championships come up at 2 or 3, we want to hold them to enable player to keep their skills
“And then at age grade, we want to hold at least One, you know everyone keeps talking about AnuOluwapo, after Anuoluwapo what next? we want to identify more Anuoluwapo and prepare them to take over, so the age grade is very critical for us, under 15, under 19
“And then we shall hold training for our coaches and umpire
“As for, Para-Badminton, for the first time Nigeria is going to host an international event, we bided to host the first international Para-Badminton championship next year and the world body has granted us that hosting right in Abia state.
After that we are going to host all Para-Badminton championships it’s huge, it’s the first time Nigeria will be host we have not done it before just because of the impact we have made in Para-Badminton.”
He also expressed confidence that by the 2028 Paralympic games, Eniola will usurp this present performance to clinch gold for the country.
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