Sports
Nigerian wins British Irish Para Badminton Int’l
Paralympic bronze medallist Eniola Bolaji has won the 2025 British and Irish Para Badminton International, defeating world No. 1 Qonitah Syakuroh in a thrilling final at the Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff on Saturday.
The world No. 2 claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory (21-16, 16-21, 21-13) over the Paralympic champion and world No. 1 in the women’s SL3 final to secure her biggest international title to date.
Bolaji started strong, taking the first set 21-16, but Syakuroh responded with a 21-16 win in the second. In a tense third set, Syakuroh led until 13 points before Bolaji surged ahead from 11 to win 21-13 and clinch the title.
The victory is particularly significant as Bolaji had previously lost to the Indonesian in the semi-finals of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Her campaign began with a 2-0 (21-12, 21-18) win over Australia’s Celine Vinot in Round 2. She then defeated world No. 10 Milena Surreau of France 2-0 (21-8, 21-18), followed by another dominant 2-0 (21-5, 21-15) win over India’s Sanjana Kumari.
In the semi-finals, Bolaji faced Vinot again and delivered an emphatic 2-0 (21-4, 21-8) victory to advance to the final.
President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, described Bolaji’s victory as a testament to her hard work and perseverance.
“I am excited with this victory because she just defeated the world number one, whom she lost to in the semi-finals of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games,” he said.
“Bolaji has shown significant improvement, and we hope she maintains this momentum heading into the next Paralympic Games. BFN, BCA and the National Sports Commission are proud of her continuous efforts in putting Nigeria and Africa on the global badminton map.”
The National Sports Commission has also congratulated Bolaji on her gold medal triumph, with Seyi Johnson, Chief of Staff to the Director General, lauding the achievement.
“This gold medal is a reflection of what is possible when talent meets opportunity. We thank the NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, for providing an inclusive and enabling platform where all sports, especially para-sports, can thrive, receive adequate funding, and compete at the highest international level,” Johnson said.
“The NSC is charging Bolaji to stay focused and build on this momentum as she prepares for the Commonwealth Games and the Paralympics.”
President of the International Table Tennis Federation Africa, Waheed Oshodi, has urged the National Sports Commission to prioritise funding for sports that consistently yield medals at global competitions.
Oshodi made the call during the WTT Contender Lagos finals, where local and international stars thrilled fans as the table tennis fest continues in Lagos.
While applauding the efforts of the NSC’s new leadership, Oshodi pointed out that despite enthusiasm for football, sports such as table tennis, wrestling and athletics have delivered more medals for the country at multi-sport events, yet receive disproportionately lower support.
“We keep talking about this big budget, but we need to see it spent,” Oshodi said.
The truth is, we still haven’t done enough for other sports. Football is important, we all love it, but these are the sports that matter. These are the ones that bring medals home.”
Oshodi expressed cautious optimism about the direction of the new NSC, saying, “I am thankful to the new Director General and Chairman of the National Sports Commission. They are starting well, they’ve tried. But for me, I can see the green lights, we just need more money.”
He also highlighted the progress of top African players competing globally despite limited institutional support.
At the top level, we have players like Quadri Aruna and Omar Assar competing with the best in the world, but that’s a remarkable feat considering how little we have invested in sports infrastructure across Africa,” he said.
Citing Egypt as a model of excellence, Oshodi noted the country’s long-term commitment to sports development.
“Egypt has a fantastic sports structure, and you can see the results. Most of their success has come through structured support, and we’re beginning to see that again at the African Youth Championships.”
He further spoke about the role of ITTF Africa in bridging funding gaps across the continent, noting the success of the Africa Hopes Week, a development camp for U-12 players held alongside the 2025 Lagos Festival of Tennis.
“I’m actually more excited about the Hopes Week than even the WTT event,” Oshodi said.
“We had players from Uganda and across Africa. It’s no longer just Nigeria and Egypt. These kids are coming through, and there’s a clear path for them now.”
Praising the emergence of promising Nigerian players, Oshodi singled out a young talent named Samson Joshua as a symbol of the country’s growing depth.
“Every time I come to Nigeria, there’s a new, exciting kid. This Joshua is really something else. We have 20, 30, even 40 players that can be at world-class level, and that’s amazing for a country like Nigeria because we haven’t invested that much,” he said.
Looking ahead to the conclusion of the 2025 Lagos Festival of Table Tennis, which has hosted two of four major events from 16 July to 5 August in Lagos, Oshodi said Nigeria had demonstrated its ability to stage world-class competitions.
However, he warned that talent development would stagnate without the necessary financial backing.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the Super Falcons for clinching a historic 10th title at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), following their thrilling comeback victory against hosts Morocco in the final held in Rabat on Saturday night.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President lauded the female national team for displaying resilience, discipline, and excellence on the continental stage.
“The Super Falcons’ spectacular performance tonight in Rabat, coming from behind to beat a spirited Moroccan side playing in front of a passionate home crowd, exemplifies the determination that defines the Nigerian spirit,” Tinubu said.
The final match at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat saw the Falcons overturn a 2-0! deficit to defeat the Atlas Lionesses in front of their vociferous fans, marking yet another milestone in Nigeria’s dominance of women’s football in Africa.
Tinubu praised the team’s unity and the dedication of the coaching staff, noting that the triumph is a reward for their hard work and a source of pride for every Nigerian.
“With hard work, dedication, and tenacity, you have achieved the mission the nation dreamed of and prayed for,” the President said. “The nation looks forward to welcoming our champions. Congratulations! Nigeria celebrates you.”
Saturday’s victory adds to the Super Falcons’ rich legacy in African football, reaffirming their position as the most successful team in WAFCON history.
The 2006 Commonwealth Games silver medallist spoke to Tidesports source her desire to defend her para singles title in the women’s category and to also secure a qualification berth for both the regional West Africa para table tennis event in Abeokuta in September and the continental championship billed to hold in Cairo, Egypt in November.
The multiple Paralympian said, “My expectation is to come out great at this wonderful tournament and to qualify for the forthcoming tournament that is coming up in Nigeria and Egypt in September and November. Last tournament, I won the singles. I won three golds at the last ValueJet tournament. And I want to believe and hope that I will maintain my position by coming in first position.”
Ugwueke had featured in the para event at the 56th Molade Okoya-Thomas National Table Tennis Championships, held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in January, where she suffered a stunning defeat to eventual finalist and tournament runner-up Taiye Oyinloye, who in turn was beaten 3-1 (11-3, 7-11, 11-6, 11-9) by Commonwealth Games medallist, Kate Oputa, to become the women’s class 1-5 champion.
The ValueJet Lagos Para table tennis Open, which is in its seventh edition, is an event sanctioned by the governing body ITTF Africa and put together by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation in partnership with Lagos State Sports Commission.
The event will come to a close on July 11, with the competition serving as qualifiers for the country’s players for the regional tournament in Abeokuta.
A total of 98 athletes—57 men and 41 women—from Nigeria, Benin Republic, and Togo are competing in the singles events.
Notable performances have come from Alabi, Agunbiade, Ogunkunle, and Commonwealth Games medallists Kate Oputa and Faith Obazuaye, who have showcased their class against emerging talents across various classifications.
Their presence has intensified the battle for podium finishes, with top seeds asserting dominance in their respective singles events.
