With Toyin Saheed
Kwara born Nigeria Para-Badminton player, Bello Oyebanji has continued to rule African with his current performance in the recent international championship in Uganda.
Bello Oyebanji clinched three gold medals in three events to main the number one Africa Para-Badminton World Ranking Singles.
In a recent World para-badminton ranking, Oyebanji who plays in the Standing Lower (SL 4) is number thirty-one position in the world.
Reacting to the news, President NPBF, Samuel Ekeoma expressed happiness over the ranking which put Nigeria on the global map again.
He noted that the federation is doing its best to support the para-athletes by exposing them to various competitions
“I’m also happy that Nigeria has been recognised as a Para Badminton Nation. Right now Africa is hoping that Nigeria will lead other Africa countries to 2020 Paralympic games in Japan.
“We’ve been doing our best with the support of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria that many athletes are adequately exposed internationally in competitions” he said.
An elated Bello said, “Nigeria is making history by having the first disabled athlete ranked number one in Africa.”
But the currently ranked number one in World Ranking explained the obstacles and challenges he faced during this period.
“It is a very tough one, starting from preparation to the tournament. What makes it tough for me is the financial and sponsorship to the tournament, which doesn’t come until the last day I was battling between the two.
“When I got to Uganda because it was two tournaments, one meant for Africans and the rest of the world. Thank God the two tournaments went well for me because from last year’s Uganda tournament, I got two bronze medals and this year, I got two silver and one bronze, I got three gold at the Africa championship, which is an improvement for me.
“Though, it was rough but I thank God there is success after the rough road. The international players are tough because these are the world class players from Malaysia, Indian, France, Scotland, Poland and our African counterparts like Cameroon, Ghana, Uganda the host country, Kenya among other African countries. But the tough countries are France and Indian because I faced Indian opponent in my second round game and the whole African countries were behind me, they see me as their representative, I thank God I won the game.
“I have gotten a lot of achievement. I was able to maintain my number one spot in Africa and also improved my world ranking. I also stand a very bright chance qualifying for Tokyo 2020 Para Games.
Bello said financial challenges have been the major obstacles facing his career, especially when it comes to attending international competitions.
“For me to maintain and improve my ranking is to attend international championship because those players ahead of me in world ranking are not better than me but they have the opportunity to feature in many championships, which gave them better advantage over me due to lack of sponsorship.
“I want to appeal to National Sports Commission, Kwara State Government and others to come to our aid,” he begged.
