Paralympic bronze medalist Eniola Bolaji has been honoured with the 2024 Africa Women in Badminton Award in recognition of her achievements and journey in para-badminton during the Badminton Confederation Africa Annual General Meeting on Thursday in China.
The multiple-time African champion becomes the second Nigerian to receive this award, following in the footsteps of badminton veteran Obiageli Solaja who was recognised in 2019.
The award was accepted on Bolaji’s behalf by president of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, who hailed the recognition as both timely and well-deserved. Orbih praised Bolaji for her dedication and trailblazing accomplishments, noting her profound influence on the growth of para-badminton across Africa.
‘I am extremely proud of Eniola Bolaji. This award reflects the BCA’s recognition of her remarkable progress’, Orbih said.
‘As the first African to win a medal in badminton or para-badminton at the Olympics or Paralympics, I believe she is only just beginning to make her mark on the global stage’.
Orbih also expressed that the award would not only motivate Bolaji but also inspire the next generation of Nigerian and African para-badminton players, highlighting that their efforts are being recognised and celebrated on the international stage. ‘This award will not only motivate Eniola but also inspire a new generation of Nigerian and African para-badminton players. It shows that their efforts are being noticed and celebrated’.
Looking ahead, Orbih confirmed Nigeria’s plans to host two international para-badminton championships in Abia State this September and October, promising world-class events and a new benchmark for Nigerian badminton.
‘We are looking forward to delivering world-class events. This is an exciting moment for Nigerian badminton, and we intend to set a new benchmark’, he added.
The Africa Women in Badminton Award has been previously awarded to notable figures such as Gretha Prinsloo (South Africa) in 2018, Obiageli Solaja (Nigeria) in 2019, Hadia Hosny (Egypt) in 2020, Lynn Du Preez (Namibia) in 2021, Awatef Ghalloussi (Tunisia) in 2022, and Harriet Semugabi (Uganda) in 2023.
