Nigeria badminton team’s dominance in the continent is continuing. At the All Africa Para Badminton Championship concluded in Kampala, Uganda at the weekend, Nigeria topped the medals’ table.
The team, unheralded as the players left the country, now returns triumphantly after winning eight gold, two silver and three bronze medals at the games held at MTN Arena, Lugogo stadium, Kampala, Uganda.
Nnanna Jeremiah Chigozie and Bolaji Mariam Eniola won three gold medals each to replicate their performance at the Uganda International Para-Badminton Championship held at the same venue last week.
Nnanna Jeremiah Chigozie/Bolaji Mariam Eniola subdued the pairs of Mohammed Ismail (EGY)/Martha Cheve (ZAM) 21-8, 21-5(2-0) to clinch gold in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5.
In the Women’s doubles SL3-SU5 final, Eniola paired Okoro Chiyere to beat Sumini Mutesi-Rose Nansereko (UGD) in two straight sets, 21-5, 21-8.
The golden girl, Eniola sent home girl Elizabeth Mwesigwa of Uganda packing in the Women’s Singles SL3 21-9, 21-4 (2-0) while Chiyere Okoro edged out Morenike Oloutou of Benin Republic 21-11, 19-21, 21-16 (2-1) in the final of Women’s Singles SL4+SU5.
Nanna Chigozie exercised his dominance on Hassan Muniru of Ugandan 21-14, 21-5(2-0) in the Men’s singles SL4 final while the combination of Olanipekun Gbenga and Akpan James recorded another gold for Nigeria in the men’s doubles SL3-SL4 beating Hassan Muniru and David Mukisa 21-9, 21-9(2-0).
Ijeoma Gift lost to Shaimaa Abdelatif of Egypt 14-21, 10-21(0-2) in the Women’s Singles WH2 final while it was all Nigerians affairs in the SL3 Men’s singles final as Chukwuebuka Eze defeated Olanipekun Gbenga 21-19, 14-21, 21-17 (2-1).
Nnanna Chigozie and Bolaji Mariam Eniola won Gold in the Mixed doubles SL3-SU5 while Okoro Chiyere clinched gold in the Women’s Singles SL4+SU5 Combine.
In the Men’s SL3-SL4 doubles, Olanipekun Gbenga and Eze Chukwuebuka won Gold for Nigeria while Eze combined with Nnanna Chigozie to pick gold in the SU5 Men’s doubles.
Other results of Women’s Singles
WH2 Gift Ijeoma- Silver, Men’s singles WH2 Ohaeri Emmanuel -Bronze, Mixed doubles WH1-2 Ohaeri Emmanuel -Sylvia Nakenda-Bronze.
Speaking on the success recorded by the Nigerian team, the President, of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, BFN, Francis Orbih, thanked the Federal Government of Nigeria for the support given to the Badminton Federation which enabled the country’s contingent to participate in both the international and continental tournaments.
He stated that he was particularly happy with the performance of the team at the two championships which were qualifiers for Paris 2024 Paralympics. “The federation is determined to ensure that Nigeria continues to present quality representation at all competitions”, Francis said.