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BFN, Japan Embassy Moves To Grow Badminton Game

Published

6 years ago

March 6, 2020

Joel Ajayi

The board members of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) led by its President, Francis Orbih, Esq. and the Japanese Embassy is making a lot of effort that will lead to the growth and development of games in Nigeria.

This was made known on Thursday in Abuja when Nigeria’s Badminton Federation Orbih paid Japanese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Nigeria, His Excellency, Yutaka Kikuta a courtesy visit.

The visit was in respect of a donation of requests from the Japanese Badminton Federation to the BFN. The Japanese Badminton Federation decided to identify a number of countries for the donation of equipment with Nigeria being the only African country to benefit from the largesse. This is largely due to the progress and recognition that the game has recorded in the last few years.

According to the President of BFN Francis Orbih, Esq will impact positively on the game in Nigeria.

It was initially conveyed to the BFN that the costs of clearing the items from the ports of entry and moving them to Abuja will be borne by BFN, but yesterday, the embassy agreed to bear all the costs incurred from these.

Owing to the delegation’s appeal, the Japanese Ambassador also agreed to sponsor a national championship in the name of the Ambassador just like the Korean Ambassador does for taekwondo. It was agreed that a convenient date will be arrived at for the championship.

The Badminton Federation of Nigeria delegation comprised of the President, Francis Orbih,Esq., the Vice President, Alhaji Mohammed Maina, board member Isaac Ogbole, the Federation Secretary General Austin Balewa, Team Manager Emmanuel Zira and Asst. Secretary-General Lilian Ihegbu.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

1 week ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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