Sports
Aleva Advocates Greater Recognition for Women in Badminton
Founder of the Blooming Her Foundation, Shiwuese Aleva, has called for increased recognition of women in badminton at both local and international levels. She made this appeal following the successful hosting of the maiden International Women’s Day Badminton Championship, held over three days in Abuja.
The women-focused tournament drew participants from across Nigeria and marked a significant step forward in promoting female participation in sports, particularly badminton.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Aleva подчеркнул that the initiative was designed to go beyond competition, serving as a platform for empowerment and visibility.
“This initiative is not just about playing badminton; it is about celebrating women and creating opportunities for them to be seen and recognised both nationally and globally,” she said.
Aleva noted that her long-term vision is to elevate Nigeria’s presence in women’s badminton while fostering grassroots development and strengthening national pride.
The championship featured four categories: Under-19 singles and doubles, senior active players, and veteran women. This structure ensured inclusivity, allowing athletes of different age groups and skill levels to participate.
She expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the event, highlighting strong participation and the presence of key stakeholders, including officials from the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, as signs of growing acceptance and support.
Aleva also revealed plans to make the tournament an annual event, with future editions expected to attract participants from across Africa and beyond.
Also speaking, the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Barrister Francis Orbih, commended the initiative, describing it as a major boost to the sport’s development in the country.
“This tournament covers all levels of the game — from grassroots to elite and veteran players. It is a commendable effort that will positively impact badminton in Nigeria,” he said.
Orbih further called for increased private sector involvement, stressing that sustainable sports development requires collaboration between corporate organisations and sports bodies.
The successful maiden edition has generated optimism among stakeholders, with expectations that future tournaments will see broader participation and greater international recognition.
Sports
Badminton Federation of Nigeria Targets Grassroots Growth, Coaches’ Capacity Building
Joel Ajayi
The President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, says the federation has launched an ambitious reform programme anchored on structured planning, grassroots development, and long-term athlete progression across all levels of the sport.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja, after two-day retreat at ANOCA building where board members, technical experts, and stakeholders gathered under the theme: Repositioning Badminton for Sustainable Growth’ gathered to chart a way forward for the Game.
Orbih said the sessions were designed to align stakeholders on a unified four-year strategic roadmap focused on improving governance, strengthening performance systems, and expanding participation nationwide.
He noted that key priorities discussed include technical development, coaching education, athlete welfare, and a more coordinated grassroots structure through school-based programmes.
According to him, the federation has approved the creation of 11 committees to drive implementation of its reforms, with emphasis on accountability, coordination, and measurable performance outcomes.
“We wanted a collective approach where decisions are jointly owned and implemented, with clear and measurable results.
‘’A major pillar of the plan is grassroots badminton development, particularly in schools.’’
He explained that while outreach programmes have existed, the federation is now shifting toward a more structured and data-driven approach with wider national coverage.
Orbih disclosed that the federation currently reaches an average of 25 to 30 schools per zonal outreach programme, but plans are underway to expand coverage across more states and increase consistency of engagement.
He also highlighted gaps in coaching capacity, noting that the number of certified coaches in Nigeria remains relatively low compared to other countries. The federation, he said, will intensify coaching education and certification programmes to close the gap and improve technical standards.
“We have over 100 coaches in Nigeria, but many are not actively engaged in continuous training. We want to strengthen that system and raise the standard,” he added.
The BFN president further confirmed the introduction of structured age-grade development pathways, covering under-12, under-15, under-19, and other youth categories to ensure seamless progression from grassroots to elite level.
President added that, federation plans to organise more age-group tournaments to sustain player development and improve competitive exposure.
Speaking also, the Technical Director of the federation, Tunde Kashim, also emphasised that the technical department remains central to the reform agenda, describing it as the “engine room” of badminton development in the country.
He said the department is reviewing player databases, coaching structures, and competition pathways to ensure a stronger performance system.
Kashim added that efforts will be made to upgrade coaching levels across the country, including progression through certification tiers, while also addressing the declining number of active coaches in the system.
He further revealed plans to expand youth competitions across multiple age categories, including under-12, under-15, under-16, and under-19 levels, aimed at strengthening the talent pipeline from schools to elite competition.
According to him, the federation is also working with state stakeholders to improve facilities and increase participation, while preparing for upcoming national and continental engagements.
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