By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) has received badminton equipment from the Badminton Association of Japan under the Sport for Tomorrow (SFT) initiative to boost grassroots and elite player development across the country.
The equipment was presented during a ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, attended by the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Suzuki Hideo; Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko; Director-General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade; President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Habu Gumel; Director-General of the National Institute for Sports, Philip Shaibu; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Anthony Adegboye; and other sports stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Suzuki described the donation as a reflection of the enduring friendship between Japan and Nigeria, saying sports remain an effective platform for fostering international cooperation and mutual understanding.
He explained that the donation was facilitated through Japan’s Sport for Tomorrow programme following discussions between BFN President and Badminton World Federation (BWF) Council Member, Francis Orbih, and President of the Badminton Association of Japan, Mitsuru Murai, who is also a BWF Council member. He added that Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs supported the initiative by funding the international transportation of the equipment.
The donation comprises 55 badminton rackets, 44 shuttlecocks, six racket covers and three racket bags.
“We sincerely hope this donation will contribute to the continued growth and development of badminton in Nigeria, enabling more people to enjoy the sport and inspiring the younger generation to pursue their sporting dreams,” Suzuki said.
Responding, Orbih described the donation as a major boost for badminton development in Nigeria, noting that access to quality equipment remains one of the sport’s biggest challenges.
He disclosed that the federation had also secured another consignment of 500 badminton rackets, 100 nets and 200 shuttlecocks, which would further strengthen training and grassroots programmes nationwide.
Orbih said the federation was also working towards registering badminton academies across the country and launching a National Badminton League to create a structured pathway for talent discovery and development.
According to him, the newly donated equipment will be prioritized for Nigeria’s senior and junior national teams, while additional equipment will support competitions and grassroots initiatives such as Shuttle Time to encourage wider participation in the sport.
NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko commended the federation for attracting strategic international partnerships, saying the donation would improve training standards and enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian badminton players on the global stage.
He also praised the Japanese Government for its continued support, assuring that the equipment would be effectively deployed to accelerate the growth of badminton in Nigeria.
The federation reiterated its commitment to leveraging international partnerships to expand grassroots participation, improve athlete development and position Nigeria among Africa’s leading badminton nations.
