President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, has described ongoing efforts to equip coaches and other officials with the latest techniques in the sport as part of efforts to ensure that Nigeria excelled at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Orbih said the BFN has a clear vision toward achieving excellence and early preparation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, adding that central to this vision is the federation’s investment in capacity building, evident in the just-concluded one-week Level One Badminton World Federation (BWF) Coaching Course in Abuja.
He said the course brought together 13 young coaches from across Nigeria for the first time since it was last held in 2017. Speaking in Lagos on Tuesday, the BFN president disclosed that the training, which was facilitated by the Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA) in partnership with his federation, was conducted by the BCA Development Manager, Dr Ahmed Radah.
“The growth and development of badminton should be a total package—players, coaches, and officials must evolve together. This course is a vital investment, and I am confident we will reap its benefits in the years to come,” Orbih affirmed.
He explained the selection process for the participants: “The African body gave us specific criteria, and while many applied, only 13 met the standards.
This ensured representation from across the country and the inclusion of promising retiring players transitioning into the coaching. It is a deliberate step toward building a solid foundation.”
He added that the training also serves as a precursor to Nigeria’s hosting of the 2025 Africa Badminton Championship, a pivotal event in the roadmap to LA 2028.
According to Orbih, the course aligns with the federation’s goal of creating a pool of highly skilled coaches who can effectively nurture talents at all levels.
“These coaches must remain active and apply what they have learned to qualify for the next grade level 2, which we plan to host next year. It’s about sustaining momentum through consistent programmes and competitions,” Orbih added.
The badminton federation boss also reiterated the importance of global exposure for young players, saying, “our talents need funding and international competitions to compete with the world’s best. The journey has started, with two of our players heading to Malaysia for training under the African body’s programme in January.”
