Sports
Nigeria Is Proud Of You, Sports Minister Tells 11 Year Gold Medalist Gymnast
Joel Ajayi
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, received triumphant Gymnastics sensation, Stephanie Onusiriuka in his office.
11- year old Onusiriuka, a beneficiary of the Ministry’s Talent Hunt Programme (THP) recently bagged a Gold medal at the African Junior Gymnastics Championship in Pretoria, South Africa.
The Minister, in his remarks, commended Stephanie, who was accompanied by her mother, Amaka for her steadfastness, even at a young age, stating that her years of putting in the work behind the scene has yielded fruits on the global stage.
“Why Stephanie is so dear to me is that barely two weeks after I became Minister, I was taking a tour of the stadium, I was going through, then I waited there for a while. I was impressed because some gymnasts were practicing and doing some flips, and there was this little girl with her coach really doing impressive stuff. That little girl was Stephanie and her coach Anthony Asuquo. I also saw a woman with a baby, then I asked who she was and was told she is the mother of the little girl practicing. So you see a woman who is really interested in the progress of her daughter and I’m happy it is turning out very well for them.
“Stephanie has since been on our Talent Hunt Programme(THP) and we agreed that we will be giving a flat amount of money as support for them, and that when trips come up, we will have to support estacodes, and sometimes flight tickets amongst others.
Onusiriuka, got a letter of commendation from the Minister, and some financial support which is part of the package for all young athletes on the Ministry’s Talent Hunt Programme.
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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