The year 2024 will be etched in the annals of Nigerian badminton history as a watershed moment marked by historic achievements and impressive performances on the continental and global stages.
The players, lovers, faithfuls, enthusiasts, and other stakeholders will be filled with excitement when they reflect on the year, and Afrosport helps review the biggest moments in badminton in 2024.
African Championships in Egypt
The year began on a high note as the Nigerian team participated in the African Badminton Championships in Egypt, which was held at the Cairo Stadium Indoor Halls Complex.
Nigeria claimed seven medals with consistent figure, Anuoluwapo Opeyori, leading the charge by winning what was a third African men’s singles title for a third time in a row.
He defeated Mauritania’s Julien Paul and asserted his dominance, winning 2-1 (23-2, 11-21, 21-16) to clinch the African men’s singles title for a fifth time.
Paris 2024 Olympic Games
The pinnacle of international badminton competition, the Olympic Games, presented Nigerian players with an opportunity to showcase their skills on the grandest of stages.
Opeyori again made history by becoming the first Nigerian badminton player to qualify for back-to-back Olympic Games, having also featured at the Tokyo 2020 Games, which was held in 2021.
The African No. 1 captained Team Nigeria to the Games and became the first-ever badminton player to lead the West African nation at the event.
Nigerian #paris2024olympicgames flag
bearer and the general team captain.It is a great honour to hold the flag of my country in front of millions and to lead the Nigeria team 🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬
I’m happy to rep, and I wish everyone a successful outing pic.twitter.com/VppApKyXLU
— Anuoluwapo Juwon Opeyori (@AnuoluwapoJuwo1) July 26, 2024
Opeyori’s historic feat, however, ended quickly as he lost in the early stages, but his feat served as a source of inspiration for aspiring players in the sport across Nigeria. The remarkable achievement underscored Nigeria’s growing presence in international scene.
Paralympic Games: A Groundbreaking Achievement
Nigeria made history at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, with Mariam Eniola Bolaji winning the country’s first-ever medal in para-badminton.
Bolaji claimed a bronze medal in the women’s SL3 singles category, defeating Ukraine’s Oksidian Kozyna in straight sets (21-9, 21-9).
Today, I became the FIRST African athlete to win a Paralympic medal in badminton 🏸
I look forward to the challenges ahead, approaching them with great determination and perseverance.…✨💨
Thanks pic.twitter.com/MEbwZIh0iv
— Bolaji Eniola Mariam (@BolajiEniola9) September 2, 2024
This achievement not only marked a milestone for Nigeria but also made Bolaji the first African athlete to win a medal in para-badminton at the Paralympics.
The Future Ahead
As the year draws to a close, Nigerian badminton can reflect on a 2024 filled with milestones and promise.
With a solid foundation laid, particularly with the introduction of the National Sports Commission (NSC), if funds are released on time for preparations ahead of major events, Nigerian badminton is poised to reach new heights and become a force to be reckoned with globally.
