Sports

BFN, NOC Invest in Coaching Development to Produce Badminton Champions — Lawan

Published

4 weeks ago

September 4, 2026

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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Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

9 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.

Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.

The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.

“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.

“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”

Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.

He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.

Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.

“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.

He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.

On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.

Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.

“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”

“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.

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