Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), has called on Nigeria’s para badminton team to deliver top performances and bring pride to the nation as they gear up for two prestigious international tournaments in Spain. The events, seen as vital opportunities for the athletes to gain global recognition, will pit Nigeria’s finest against some of the world’s best para badminton players.
The first competition, the 2025 Spanish Level 2 International Para Badminton Championship, is scheduled to take place in Victoria, Spain, from March 4 to 9, 2025. Five Nigerian athletes will represent the country in the singles category:
Eniola Mariam Bolaji (Women’s SL3 – Singles)
Okoro Chinyere Lucky (Women’s SL4 – Singles)
Chukwuemeka Ijeoma Gift (Women’s SL4 – Singles)
Eze Chukwuebuka Sunday (Men’s SL3 – Singles)
Nnanna Chigozie Jeremiah (Men’s SL4 – Singles)
Following this, three players will compete in the Spanish International Level 1 Para Badminton Championship in Toledo, Madrid, from March 12 to 16, 2025:
Eniola Mariam Bolaji (Women’s SL3 – Singles)
Nnanna Chigozie Jeremiah (Men’s SL4 – Singles & Doubles)
Eze Chukwuebuka Sunday (Men’s SL3 – Singles & Doubles)
In addition to their singles events, Jeremiah and Eze will pair up for the Men’s SL3-SL4 Doubles category, boosting Nigeria’s presence on the international stage.
Hon. Olopade praised the resilience and excellence of Nigeria’s para athletes, describing the tournaments as a chance to highlight the country’s talent in para sports. “This is another opportunity to showcase the immense talent that Nigeria possesses in para sports,” he said. “I urge our players to stay focused, compete with determination, and continue to make the country proud. The NSC remains committed to supporting and elevating para sports in Nigeria.”
Olopade also underscored the growing importance of para sports in Nigeria, calling for greater investment in infrastructure, training, and grassroots programs. “Para athletes have shown time and again that they are just as capable of bringing glory to the nation as their able-bodied counterparts,” he noted. “We must ensure they have access to world-class training, exposure, and support systems. The NSC is committed to creating more opportunities for them to excel.”