Sports
Academy records 40% reduction in injuries after safety reforms-President
The President of Talent Developer Football Academy, Abuja, Oluwole Babatunde, said the academy has recorded a 40 per cent reduction in soft-tissue injuries following the introduction of new safety reforms during the rainy season.
Babatunde who stated this in an interview on Tuesday in Abuja, said the academy adopted weather-based monitoring using updates from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to guide training schedules and ensure player safety.
He said the academy had introduced a comprehensive safety, welfare and development plan to protect players and maintain training standards in spite of the adverse weather conditions.
According to him, training sessions are now scheduled for morning and late afternoon to avoid heavy rainfall and lightning risks.
While indoor facilities are used for strength, tactical and mobility drills whenever pitches become waterlogged.
“Our pitch management team conducts daily inspections, while improved drainage systems and sand top-dressing have been introduced to reduce waterlogging and improve playing conditions.
“We do not conduct training during thunderstorms because lightning safety is a top priority.
“ Our coaches are empowered to halt sessions immediately whenever conditions become unsafe,” he said.
Babatunde said players were provided with rain gear and spare clothing, while wet kits were washed and dried the same day to prevent infections and discomfort.
He added that injury prevention measures had been strengthened through extended warm-up routines, proprioception drills and restrictions on high-intensity contact drills on slippery surfaces.
The academy president disclosed that a physiotherapist was available four days weekly, while ice therapy, taping and ankle support were provided for players with minor injuries and joint concerns.
On players welfare and health, Babatunde said the academy had partnered with a nutritionist to improve meal plans with vitamins and immune-boosting diets, while clean drinking water and hygiene education were strictly enforced.
He further said transportation arrangements had been made for Under 15 and Under 17 players during periods of heavy rainfall, including shuttle services and flexible reporting times.
According to him, parents are regularly updated through WhatsApp on any changes to training schedules.
Babatunde added that rainy-day disruptions were converted into opportunities for video analysis sessions, classroom lessons and academic tutoring to support players development on and off the pitch.
He said no weather-related hospital cases had been recorded since the measures were introduced.
On performance expectations, Babatunde said the academy remained focused on player development, discipline and measurable technical and tactical improvement rather than trophies alone.
He added that the academy aimed to produce players capable of securing trials with the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and Nigeria National League (NNL) clubs, state team selections and scholarship opportunities.
Babatunde, who is also the Chairman of the AMAC Football Coaches Council, advised young players in Abuja to remain disciplined, consistent and education-focused, warning against shortcuts to success.
He commended football fans in the Federal Capital Territory for their continued support for grassroots football development.
“We are building players and people, not just results. Consistency, attitude and education will keep any player in the game,” he said.
Sports
Orbih Sparks Fresh Hope with Transformational Plan for Nigerian Badminton
Joel Ajayi
A fresh era appears to be emerging for Nigerian badminton as President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, unveiled an ambitious long-term development plan centred on grassroots expansion, coaches’ training, and umpire advancement.
Orbih announced the vision on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of the federation’s two-day retreat at ANOCA House in Abuja, where board members, technical experts, and stakeholders gathered to map out a fresh direction for the sport with the theme: “Repositioning Badminton For Sustainable Growth.”
He said the federation was determined to build a sustainable structure capable of delivering measurable results within the next two to three years.
“In the next two to three years, Nigerians will begin to see the result of what we are doing. When you fail to plan, you plan to fail,” Orbih said.
According to him, the retreat was organised to ensure the federation operates with a clear roadmap rather than short-term decisions.
Orbih stressed that the BFN would pursue intentional goals throughout its tenure instead of allowing another four-year cycle to pass without impact.
“We are not just going to vote, announce results and allow four years to pass by. We want to be deliberate about what we want to achieve,” he stated.
He identified grassroots expansion as the foundation of the federation’s new agenda, revealing plans to take badminton into schools and local communities across the country.
“Grassroots and schools are very important to us, and we are going there. We also want to develop our coaches and umpires because they are critical to the future of the game,” he added.
Orbih also pointed to the federation’s growing international recognition, recalling that a Nigerian umpire officiated at the World Junior Championships in India last year — a first for the country.
He said the next target was to secure more international opportunities for Nigerian technical officials and administrators within African and global badminton bodies.
“We want more Nigerians to lead African badminton institutions and contribute globally when opportunities come. That preparation must start now,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, said Nigerian sports was entering a new era driven by strategic planning, data, and performance-based targets.
Dikko explained that sports federations were now expected to submit clear development plans to the commission, replacing the old system of arbitrary expectations.
He disclosed that based on projections from federations, Nigeria is targeting between 18 and 22 gold medals at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Dikko also praised the leadership of the Badminton Federation, describing the sport as one of Nigeria’s medal prospects, while citing the success of para-badminton star Eniola Bolaji as evidence of what strategic investment can achieve.
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