Sports

All set for Archery symposium as SWAN FCT week kicks off

Published

5 years ago

November 23, 2020

Respected members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) FCT chapter will on Tuesday, November 24, refresh their knowledge on Archery, being one of the recently introduced sports in Nigeria.

In a press statement issued by the Secretary, SWAN FCT Ikenna Okonkwo on Monday in Abuja.

The workshop which kicks off 11.30 am, will take place inside the female hockey pitch (adjacent NIS arena), package B of Moshood Abiola National stadium Abuja.

Already, sports Journalists within the nation’s capital have expressed their willingness to fully participate.

A veteran sports journalist and one of the oldest SWAN members, Mr Asueliemen Osasuyi of the Nigerian Pilot, who was first to put a phone call across to the secretariat early Monday morning was optimistic that the training is worth the wait.

“Archery is not one of the popular sports like football, basketball, athletics, handball in Nigeria, but it has a lot of prospects in the country, being an Olympic sport.

In their separate remarks, a veteran broadcaster Kelechi Onwudiwe of Beat/Classic FM and renowned sports writer Foluso Alade of Gongnews.com were of the view that Archery if well-publicized would spur many hidden potentials to emerge across Nigeria.

President of Nigeria Archery Federation Alhaji Mohammed Baba Abdullahi assured that the federation is set to deploy their equipment for the all-important training sessions.

Alhaji Abdullahi who is also the chairman of FCT Archery Association said, “We are delighted to partner with sport writers at this time. We are aware of the crucial role they play in grassroots and elite sports development.

Archery is a skill or sporting game that involves the practice or skill of using a bow to shoot/propel arrows. It is becoming one of the interesting competitive games and recreational activities in the country and is gradually accelerating to a higher level just as when football started in Nigeria.

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Sports

Badminton Federation of Nigeria Targets Grassroots Growth, Coaches’ Capacity Building

Published

19 hours ago

May 14, 2026

The Gleamer

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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