The Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) have commenced a Level 2 Coaching Course in Abuja, with the federation stressing the need for stronger coaching capacity to drive the development of badminton in Nigeria.

The nine-day coaching programme, which began on Friday, September 4, 2026, will run until September 12 and brings together badminton coaches for advanced technical training and capacity development.

Speaking on behalf of the BFN President at the opening ceremony, the federation’s Vice President, Adamu Alhaji Lawan, described the programme as a strategic investment in the future of Nigerian badminton.

Lawan said the quality of coaching remained central to the success of any sporting system, stressing that facilities, equipment and competitions could only produce sustainable results when supported by knowledgeable and properly trained coaches.

“Behind every great player is a coach who first recognised the talent. Behind every champion is a coach who refined that talent,” he said.

He commended the NOC for collaborating with the BFN to provide the capacity-building opportunity, noting that the partnership would help strengthen the technical foundation of badminton and improve the standard of coaching across the country.

Lawan urged the participating coaches to maximise the training by engaging the facilitator, Dr Ahmed Reda, asking questions, exchanging experiences and acquiring practical knowledge that could be transferred to athletes and other coaches.

He said the success of the programme should not be measured by the number of certificates awarded but by the quality of coaches produced, the players developed and the results Nigeria achieves in international competitions.

The BFN vice president challenged the coaches to return to their respective states, clubs, schools and communities and multiply the knowledge acquired by mentoring young coaches, identifying emerging talents and providing them with proper technical foundations.

According to him, Nigeria must move beyond merely participating in international competitions and aspire to dominate badminton at the African level, compete strongly at the Commonwealth level and progressively produce players capable of challenging the world’s best.

“Our journey does not begin at the Olympics. It begins here. It begins with better knowledge. It begins with better coaching. It begins with people like you,” Lawan said.

He expressed confidence that the course would contribute significantly to strengthening Nigeria’s badminton coaching structure and support the country’s long-term ambition of producing athletes capable of competing successfully at the Olympic Games.

Lawan also urged the coaches to “learn with humility, coach with passion and lead by example,” while passing on the knowledge gained to others.

He disclosed that the BFN President was absent from the opening ceremony following the recent death of his brother and conveyed the federation’s condolences to him and his family.

Lawan subsequently declared the Nigeria Olympic Committee/BFN Coaching Course, Abuja 2026, officially open and thanked the NOC, facilitators, officials, Local Organising Committee and other stakeholders for their support.

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