Nigeria Targets Podium At Para-Badminton World Championship
By FRED LONGJOHN OBEH
NIGERIA’S para-badminton contingent has departed for Bahrain ahead of the Para-Badminton World Championship, scheduled to hold from 8 to 14 February, with world number two SL3 player and Paralympic bronze medallist Eniola Bolaji spearheading the country’s campaign.
Bolaji’s participation marks her second international outing of the year, following an impressive start to the 2026 season. In January, she claimed gold at the Egypt International Championship, a performance that further cemented her status as one of the sport’s elite players and raised expectations ahead of the global event in Bahrain.
Joining Bolaji are Chigozie Jeremiah, who will compete in the men’s SL4 category, and Chinyere Okoro, Nigeria’s sole female representative in the women’s SL4 event. The trio represents Nigeria’s best medal hopes at the championship, which will feature top para-badminton athletes from across the world.
Speaking after the team’s departure, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, expressed confidence in the athletes’ readiness and competitive edge. He revealed that the players underwent a one-month intensive training camp in Abuja, designed to sharpen their technical skills, physical conditioning and mental strength.
“Nigeria’s para-badminton players are well prepared to compete at the highest level,” Orbih said. “The commitment and discipline they showed throughout the camping period give us confidence going into this championship.”
He described Bolaji as being in the best form of her career, while noting that Jeremiah and Okoro are highly motivated and eager to make their mark on the global stage.
Orbih also commended the National Sports Commission and GIG Logistics for their support, describing their contributions as crucial to ensuring Nigeria’s consistent presence at major international ranking tournaments.
