Nigeria’s Eniola Bolaji was recently awarded a continental recognition by the Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA) at its Annual General Meeting held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Para-badminton player, Eniola, playing in her first international competition, made history as she became the first African to win athlete to win gold at the Spanish Para-Badminton International Championship.
Eniola came from a setdown to defeat Oksana Kozyna of Ukraine 18-21, 21-14, 21-18 at the final in Cartagena to once again showcase Nigerian Badminton just after Obiageli Solaja was named the African Women in Badminton award winner in 2019.
Receiving the award for her at the General Assembly, the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, was shocked as he wasn’t aware beforehand but dedicated the award to her late coach Oyebanji Bello who died in an accident prior to the Spanish championship while trying to secure his visa for the tournament.
The President thanked the Badminton Confederation of Africa on her behalf and sent a photograph to the athlete who was reported to also have dedicated the award to her late coach who discovered her.