Eniola Bolaji has etched her name in history as the first African athlete to secure a medal in Para-Badminton at the ongoing Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
She triumphed over Ukraine's Kozyna Oksana with a score of
21-9, 21-9, earning a bronze medal for Nigeria in the Women’s Singles SL3
category.
Following her achievement, Minister of Sports Development,
Senator John Owan Enoh, extended his congratulations earlier today. This
victory comes on the heels of her semi-final loss on Sunday.
Senator Enoh encouraged all Paralympic athletes to strive
for success, stating, “You all can do it for yourselves and for the country.
As a ministry, we have provided the necessary support; make
the sports-loving people of Nigeria proud and raise the nation’s flag high in
Paris. I believe in your abilities.
Having fulfilled our responsibilities as a government, we
are cheering for you. It is now your turn to bring joy to the faces of
Nigerians.”
This medal marks the first for Team Nigeria in the current
season of the Olympics and Paralympics 2024.
The Paralympic Games continue, with Bolawa Akingbemisiu,
Kayode Alabi, and Isau Ogunkule set to compete in the Round of 16 in table
tennis on the same day.