The Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) organized a special dinner to send forth the country’s number one badminton star Anuoluwapo Opeyori, who is set to intensify training in Italy ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Opeyori a four-time African Championship winner and two-time African Games champion, secured a spot at the Paris Games last month, becoming the first Nigerian badminton player to qualify for two consecutive Olympics after featuring at Tokyo 2020.

Nigerian Badminton star Anuoluwapo Opeyori displaying his titles.

President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih described the occasion as historic.

“History was made in badminton after Anuoluwapo Opeyori secured a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” Orbih stated.

“I am full of joy because Anu is the first Nigerian badminton player to feature in the men’s singles at the Olympic Games and also the first Nigerian badminton player to attend two Olympics back-to-back.”

Speaking with the media after the event, Orbih outlined the federation’s programme for Opeyori, which he said would begin with a three-week training tour of Italy this week.

He added, “We titled this programme ‘Send forth’ because we intend him to travel to Italy next week (this week) for a training camp for about three weeks.

“After that, the ministry will open its training camp in Germany July 1, he’ll join the team Nigeria there.”

“We also intend him to play the Mauritius International and one other championship. After the training camp he needs to go to the court and put to use the skills he acquired in camp. After that he goes straight to the Olympics.”