By Aderonke Ojo
Founder of the Blooming Her Foundation, Shiwuese Aleva, has called for increased recognition of women in badminton at both local and international levels. She made this appeal following the successful hosting of the maiden International Women’s Day Badminton Championship, held over three days in Abuja.
The women-focused tournament drew participants from across Nigeria and marked a significant step forward in promoting female participation in sports, particularly badminton.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Aleva подчеркнул that the initiative was designed to go beyond competition, serving as a platform for empowerment and visibility.
“This initiative is not just about playing badminton; it is about celebrating women and creating opportunities for them to be seen and recognised both nationally and globally,” she said.
Aleva noted that her long-term vision is to elevate Nigeria’s presence in women’s badminton while fostering grassroots development and strengthening national pride.
The championship featured four categories: Under-19 singles and doubles, senior active players, and veteran women. This structure ensured inclusivity, allowing athletes of different age groups and skill levels to participate.
She expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the event, highlighting strong participation and the presence of key stakeholders, including officials from the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, as signs of growing acceptance and support.
Aleva also revealed plans to make the tournament an annual event, with future editions expected to attract participants from across Africa and beyond.
Also speaking, the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Barrister Francis Orbih, commended the initiative, describing it as a major boost to the sport’s development in the country.
“This tournament covers all levels of the game — from grassroots to elite and veteran players. It is a commendable effort that will positively impact badminton in Nigeria,” he said.
Orbih further called for increased private sector involvement, stressing that sustainable sports development requires collaboration between corporate organisations and sports bodies.
The successful maiden edition has generated optimism among stakeholders, with expectations that future tournaments will see broader participation and greater international recognition.
