Sports
Sports Minister To Convene Sports Federation Presidents Ahead Of Africa Games
Joel Ajayi
In a proactive move to bolster and unify efforts for sporting success, the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh is set to host a crucial meeting with Sports Federation presidents in Abuja this Thursday, paving the way to further strategic discussions ahead of the Africa Games.
The meeting, scheduled to take place in Abuja this Thursday, the 11th of January, and the time for the event is 10 am prompt aims to foster collaboration, synchronize plans, and strategize collective actions among the various sports federations. This proactive initiative aligns with the commitment to enhance Nigeria’s competitive edge at the Games, later this year in Accra, Ghana.
Senator Enoh highlighted the significance of this gathering, stating, “Our nation boasts exceptional athletic talents across various disciplines. This meeting is a pivotal step toward harnessing our collective potential and ensuring a synchronized approach in our quest for success at the Africa Games.”
The agenda will encompass discussions on athlete preparation, resource allocation, administrative coordination, and leveraging expertise to optimize Nigeria’s performance at the continental sporting event.
The Sports Minister’s proactive engagement with the Federation heads signifies the government’s passion to support and empower Nigerian athletes on their journey to sporting excellence.
The meeting is anticipated to strengthen unity, streamline strategies, and foster a cohesive environment conducive to achieving remarkable feats at the African Games coming up in March this year.
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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