NSC Applauds Eniola Bolaji As Nigeria Produces Para-Badminton World No 1

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has extended its congratulations to Nigerian para-badminton sensation, Eniola Mariam Bolaji, following her historic achievement of becoming the Women’s SL3 World Number One.

Bolaji ascended to the top of the global rankings with an impressive 63,950 points, dislodging Indonesia’s Qonitah Ikhtiar Syakuroh. This remarkable feat comes after her outstanding performance at the World Para Badminton Championships, where she reached the final and secured a silver medal. In doing so, she also made history as the first African athlete to compete in a World Championships final in para-badminton.

Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, lauded Bolaji’s accomplishment as a pivotal moment for Nigerian sport.

The Commission’s Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, commended the Badminton Federation of Nigeria for its strategic development of the sport and unwavering commitment to athlete welfare.

“If you take care of the athletes, they will always return with medals and global recognition. Eniola’s achievement reflects deliberate planning, proper support, and a merit-driven system. We congratulate her and the Badminton Federation for creating an enabling environment for her success.”

In a statement released on Wednesday morning and signed by Kola Daniel, SA Media to the Director General, the Commission also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his steadfast support for sports development in Nigeria.

“We thank Mr President for his consistent backing of Nigerian sport. Under this renewed commitment, Nigeria has hosted the Davis Cup after 19 years, successfully organised the Africa Run Conference, and delivered another world-class edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon. These milestones signal our determination to reposition Nigeria prominently within the global sporting landscape.”

This latest milestone further solidifies Bolaji’s burgeoning legacy. At the 2024 Summer Paralympics, she made history as the first African athlete to win a medal in para-badminton at either the Olympics or Paralympics, securing a bronze in the Women’s Singles SL3 event.

The NSC stated that her ascent to World Number One symbolises a new era of excellence, inclusivity, and global competitiveness for Nigerian sport.