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 the appeal during the maiden edition of the International Women’s Day Badminton Championship, held in Abuja. The tournament which lasted for three days drew participants from across Nigeria .
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Aleva explained that the initiative would serve as a platform for women’s empowerment.
“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.
