Nigeria wins 14 medals at 2026 Uganda Para Badminton International Championship

Published

3 months ago

July 12, 2026

Nigeria’s Para Badminton team won a total number of 14 medals at the 2026 Uganda Para Badminton International Championship, held from 7 to 12 July 2026.

The medals comprising of nine gold and five silver medals, further reinforcing the country’s growing status as one of Africa’s leading forces in para badminton.

Lyka Brown claimed gold in the WH1 Women’s Singles and partnered with Chukwuemeka Ijeoma Gift to secure another gold medal in the WH1 & WH2 Women’s Doubles.

Chukwuemeka Ijeoma Gift also emerged victorious in the WH2 Women’s Singles, adding another gold to Nigeria’s tally.

In the men’s wheelchair events, Emmanuel Ifeanacho Ohaeri won gold in the WH2 Men’s Singles and teamed up with Lyka Brown to capture gold in the WH1 & WH2 Mixed Doubles.

Ohaeri also partnered with Ekeoma Samuel to earn silver in the WH1 & WH2 Men’s Doubles.

Ekeoma Samuel further claimed silver in the WH1 Men’s Singles and joined Chukwuemeka Ijeoma Gift to win another silver medal in the WH1 & WH2 Mixed Doubles.

Nigeria continued its dominance in the standing categories. Obinna Precious Nwosu won gold in the SL3 Men’s Singles, while Eze Sunday Chukwuebuka secured silver in the same event.

Nnanna Jeremiah Chigozie captured gold in the SL4 Men’s Singles before teaming up with Eze Sunday Chukwuebuka to win gold in the SL3 & SU5 Men’s Doubles.

In the SU5 category, Eneojo Elijah Agada claimed gold in the singles event and later partnered with Obinna Precious Nwosu to win silver in the SL3–SU5 Men’s Doubles.

An elated president of Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih hailed the performance of the players at the championship.

Orbih explained that the performance has further boosted the country’s profile ahead of future continental and global competitions.

He said: “The para badminton athletes have once again shown that the country can depend on them in terms of winning medals and making the country proud.

“This current board will continue to support the para athletes and ensure they get all the necessary support.

“Our target is the Paralympic Games, we want to qualify as many athletes as possible with the aim of making a huge mark following the exploit of Eniola Bolaji.”

Orbih further commended the sponsors including the Abia State Government, Bayelsa State and Police college badminton club Lagos.

“I want to thank the Abia State Government for sponsoring six players, and Bayelsa State Government as well as Police College Badminton Club Lagos footing the bills of 1 player each.

“The Federation is ready to partner with them and many other organizations in the future.”

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

Published

11 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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