The Badminton Confederation Africa Plans to Unveil ‘Path to Olympic Glory’ Initiative in Nigeria.
The Badminton Confederation Africa is gearing up to introduce a significant program in Nigeria titled ‘Road to LA 2028,’ designed to inspire and equip African badminton players to excel at the next Olympics.
The Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), in collaboration with the BCA, emphasizes that early preparation is crucial to achieving greater success on the global stage.
BFN President and BCA Council member, Francis Orbih, highlighted that developing an Olympic contender, let alone a champion, requires a long-term commitment and cannot be accomplished overnight.
He stated, “This underscores our focus on early preparation, and we are grateful to our continental body, the BCA, for spearheading this initiative.”
The program aims to elevate African and Nigerian badminton to unprecedented levels of success.
Eniola Bolaji’s historic medal win at Paris 2024 marked a significant milestone as the first African badminton player to achieve such a feat. Additionally, the appointment of badminton player Anuoluwapo Opeyori as Team Nigeria’s Captain for the first time in the country’s 18 Olympic appearances highlights badminton’s growing prominence.
“The Road to LA 2028 initiative seeks to inspire and support African badminton players as they pursue excellence at the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games,” he added.
The launch event is set for December 1st at the Kano Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.
Orbih noted that Nigeria, as the host, would also celebrate the achievements of its badminton and para-badminton players at the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics during the event.
The “Road to LA 2028” initiative will prioritize nurturing young talent, offering access to top-tier training facilities, and providing essential resources to ensure African athletes are fully equipped to compete on the global stage.
Orbih concluded, “As a Nigerian, I take immense pride in the accomplishments of our athletes at the Paris Games. I believe this BCA initiative will inspire even better performances at LA 2028.”
He further emphasized, “The ‘Road to LA 2028’ campaign is a testament to the BCA’s dedication to empowering African athletes and equipping them to reach their full potential. We urge the nation to rally behind this exciting journey.”
The event is expected to attract key stakeholders, including governors, government agencies, corporate sponsors, the media, and members of the badminton community.
