Eniola Bolaji Clinches Nigeria’s First Medal at 2024 Paris Paralympics

By Augustine Akhilomen

Eniola Bolaji has put some smile on the faces of Nigerians after she won Nigeria’s first medal in Para-Badminton at the ongoing Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Her feat also means she becomes the first African athlete to do so.

Recall that Bolaji defeated Kozyna Oksana of Ukraine 21-9, 21-9, and secured a bronze medal for Nigeria in the Women’s Singles SL3 category.

The Minister of Sports Development Senator John Owan Enoh has since congratulated her on her victory earlier today.

Her victory comes after she lost the semi-final match on Sunday.

Senator Enoh reiterated to all athletes at the Paralympics to be enthusiastic for victory: “You all can do it for yourselves and for the country. As a ministry, we have made available what you need, make all of the sports-loving people of Nigeria proud of you, fly the nation’s flag very high in Paris.

“I believe in your capacity. Having done all we should as government, we are rooting for you. It is now over to you to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians.”

This medal is the first medal to be won by Team Nigeria in this season’s games of the Olympics and Paralympics 2024.

The Paralympic games are ongoing; Bolawa Akingbemisiu, Kayode Alabi, and Isau Ogunkule are to take on their opponents in the Round of 16 table tennis on the same day.