Anna 
The Nigerian badminton team is set to depart for the 2025 All-African Senior Badminton Championship, scheduled to take place in Douala, Cameroon, from February 10–16. The contingent, consisting of 10 athletes—five men and five women—will compete in a variety of events, including Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles.
Leading the charge is Anuoluwapo Opeyori, Nigeria’s top-ranked player, who will be aiming to defend his African Men’s Singles title after clinching gold in the previous year’s competition. Opeyori’s goal is to secure a consecutive win and help Nigeria replicate its strong performance from the 2024 championships, where the team earned one gold, two silver, and four bronze medals.
The upcoming tournament has sparked high expectations, with the nation’s premier shuttlers hopeful of another stellar showing. During a visit to the team’s training camp in Abuja on Wednesday, the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to supporting Nigerian athletes and sports federations, including badminton.
Olopade emphasized badminton’s growing significance in Nigeria’s sports landscape, crediting the leadership of President Francis Orbih and the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) for generating excitement around the sport. He also highlighted the remarkable achievements of athletes like Opeyori as evidence of the sport’s rise.
“The NSC, under the leadership of Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, fully recognizes badminton as a key sport in Nigeria. We will continue to provide support to the badminton federation as they strive for excellence,” Olopade stated. “Our goal is to encourage these athletes to continue excelling on the international stage. The team is the defending champion, and we are here to show our support and ensure they are well-prepared for the challenge ahead.”
Francis Orbih, President of the BFN, expressed confidence in the team’s readiness for the competition, noting that the morale boost from Olopade’s visit would further enhance the players’ motivation. “We have great potential in this team, and with the support we’re receiving, I believe they will perform admirably. We appreciate the NSC’s backing,” Orbih concluded.
With the tournament fast approaching, all eyes will be on Nigeria’s athletes as they strive to defend their title and make history once again on the continental stage.
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