Nigeria’s para badminton team delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 Uganda Para Badminton International Championship, returning home with an impressive haul of 14 medals, comprising nine gold and five silver.
The championship, held in Uganda from 7 to 12 July, further cemented Nigeria’s growing reputation as one of Africa’s dominant forces in para badminton.
Leading the charge was Lyka Brown, who clinched gold in the WH1 Women’s Singles before teaming up with Chukwuemeka Ijeoma Gift to secure another gold in the WH1/WH2 Women’s Doubles.
Chukwuemeka also triumphed in the WH2 Women’s Singles, adding a third gold medal to Nigeria’s tally.
In the men’s wheelchair events, Emmanuel Ifeanacho Ohaeri won gold in the WH2 Men’s Singles and partnered Brown to capture gold in the WH1/WH2 Mixed Doubles. Ohaeri also teamed up with Ekeoma Samuel to claim silver in the WH1/WH2 Men’s Doubles.
Samuel added another silver medal in the WH1 Men’s Singles before combining with Chukwuemeka to finish runners-up in the WH1/WH2 Mixed Doubles.
Nigeria’s dominance extended to the standing categories, where Obinna Precious Nwosu emerged champion in the SL3 Men’s Singles, while Eze Sunday Chukwuebuka claimed silver in the same event.
Nnanna Jeremiah Chigozie struck gold in the SL4 Men’s Singles before partnering Eze Sunday Chukwuebuka to win the SL3/SU5 Men’s Doubles title.
In the SU5 category, Eneojo Elijah Agada captured gold in the Men’s Singles and later teamed up with Obinna Precious Nwosu to win silver in the SL3/SU5 Men’s Doubles.
Reacting to the team’s remarkable performance, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, praised the athletes for once again flying the nation’s flag high on the international stage.
“The para badminton athletes have once again shown that Nigeria can depend on them to win medals and make the country proud,” Orbih said.
“This board will continue to support our para athletes and ensure they receive every assistance needed to excel.
“Our target is the Paralympic Games. We want to qualify as many athletes as possible and make a significant impact, building on the outstanding achievement of Eniola Bolaji.”
Orbih also expressed appreciation to the sponsors whose support made the team’s participation possible.
“I want to thank the Abia State Government for sponsoring six players, as well as the Bayelsa State Government and the Police College Badminton Club, Lagos, for sponsoring one player each.
“The Federation remains committed to strengthening partnerships with these organisations and many others as we continue to develop para badminton in Nigeria.”
Nigeria’s impressive medal haul underlines the country’s growing strength in para badminton and provides a major boost ahead of forthcoming continental championships and the qualification race for the Paralympic Games.
