Two-time Olympic badminton player, Anuoluwapo Opeyori, has advised beginners and aspiring players to remain focused and committed in order to excel in the sport.

Opeyori, who is based in the United States, said in a telephone interview on Wednesday that discipline and consistency were crucial to success in badminton.

He said players must continually train and understand the pattern of their training in order to improve.

“Both discipline and consistency are very important in badminton.

“Players must keep showing up and also recognise the pattern of their training, otherwise it will be difficult to improve.

“They should understand why they are training and be able to identify what they are doing right or wrong.

“They should also realise that every shot is important in badminton. This is how beginners can develop themselves and carve a niche in the sport.

“They must also possess the right mindset and attitude toward the game in order to excel,” he said.

Opeyori competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2024 Summer Olympics.

He served as Nigeria’s team captain and also the country’s flag bearer during the parade of nations at the Paris Olympics.

The badminton star is also a two-time gold medallist at the African Games and has won the men’s singles title at the African Badminton Championships.

He advised beginners to avoid learning complex shots at the early stage of their development.

“Firstly, they should solidify their foundation by understanding basic techniques such as footwork, how to hit a clear and how to execute a normal drop shot.

“They should not start with learning how to smash because it involves complex techniques that could damage their foundation and lead to poor skills.

“Beginners should avoid rushing into advanced techniques. Learning badminton requires patience because it is not a sport that can be mastered hurriedly,” he said.

Opeyori is the most decorated African male badminton player.

The Olympian added that the major challenge faced by Nigerian athletes, both at home and abroad, remained funding and expenses.

“Growing up in Nigeria requires a lot of survival skills.

“Sports require resources and the challenges have always been equipment, infrastructure and manpower, such as the availability of coaches and exposure.

“I have been able to overcome these challenges by focusing on what I can control.

“I studied business management and administration and I apply the knowledge from my studies to my sporting career and other activities,” he said.

According to him, he did not initially set a target when he started playing badminton.

“When I started badminton, I did not have a specific target but I already understood what the sport was about; it was introduced to me unexpectedly and there was no plan.

“It happened by coincidence and it turned out to be an interesting development. I initially applied to become a gymnast but I was not patient enough to pursue it to the end,” Opeyori said.

He said that before the maiden International Lagos Classic in 2014, he set a personal target that no foreign player would defeat him on home soil, adding that he was happy to have achieved the goal.

The gold medallist at the 2025 African Badminton Championships said he remained active in badminton and was still open to representing Nigeria.

“I am still competing in badminton tournaments here in the U.S. and it provides a good environment for the sport because it pushes me to intensify my training more than when I was in Nigeria.

“There are good facilities here for training. I have access to training kits and partners.

“I also have an upcoming tournament in May which is bigger than most tournaments in Africa. It is a Super 300 badminton competition,” he said.

The Super 300 tournaments are part of the BWF World Tour sponsored by Badminton World Federation, featuring 11 events.

Galatasaray Coach, Okan Buruk has set a target for his players ahead of tonight’s clash with Liverpool in the Champions League Round of 16 first legs in Istanbul, with the second leg a week later. Victor Osimhen’s penalty was the difference when the two sides played against each other in the group stages.

Both teams were drawn against each other during the knockout stage draw, having previously met in the group stage after Galatasaray overcame Juventus during the playoff.

Galatasaray will play at home first because they qualified through the playoffs, while Liverpool finished in the top eight on the 36-team table.

But while speaking to the media ahead of the match, Coach Buruk set clear objectives for his players before the first leg in Istanbul. Buruk wants his players to take charge of their home advantage and secure a good result to make their progress to the next round easier in the second leg. “Our primary goal is, of course, to gain the upper hand in the first match. We know how good our opponent is. Despite their ups and downs this year, they have very important players. Right now, their chances of winning their league title are almost impossible, so their biggest goal is the Champions League.”

 Buruk reiterated that Galatasaray’s main goal is to secure a victory that gives them an advantage when they travel to England in the second leg. “The first match is the most important for us. This match is more important than anything else. Right now, our only focus is to gain an advantage at home against Liverpool. Because we will be playing against a very strong team,” he added. This strategy worked for Galatasaray against Juventus when they defeated the Italian Serie A giants 5-2 in Istanbul and progressed despite losing 3-2 in Turin

No fewer than 250 players from across the country are expected to participate in the 6th Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial Table Tennis Championship scheduled to hold in Otan Ayegbaju, Osun.

The tournament will take place at the Idera Multipurpose Hall from April 12 to April 17.

A statement issued on Sunday by Adesoji Tayo, President, Nigerian Table Tennis Federation, stated that they would partner the Osun Government and the Osun Table Tennis Association to ensure a successful championship.

“The tournament is a championship that has grown into one of the nation’s most prestigious sporting events,” he said.

Tayo said that the event founded in honour of the late Michael and Felicia Alabi, has transcended its memorial roots to become a powerful platform for nurturing future champions.

“Over the years, it has given rising talents the chance to shine on the national stage while offering seasoned athletes an arena to reaffirm their dominance.

“Today, it stands as a vital bridge between grassroots participation and elite competition, embodying resilience, inclusivity and excellence.

“The 2026 edition promises to be the grandest yet as more than 250 players from all 36 states of Nigeria will converge on Otan Ayegbaju, transforming the town into a vibrant hub of sporting brilliance.

“The young prospects, seasoned professionals, veterans, para-athletes and deaf athletes will compete side by side, underscoring the tournament’s unwavering commitment to unity and equal opportunity,” he said.

The table tennis president added that categories span from Under-15 singles to veteran, para and deaf divisions, to ensure that every athlete had a stage to showcase their skill and determination.

He said that the championship, organised in honour of the late Michael and Felicia Alabi, had grown over the years into one of Nigeria’s notable table tennis competitions.

Tayo noted that participants were expected from the 36 states of the federation, featuring young prospects, seasoned professionals, veterans, para-athletes and deaf athletes.

“The event is designed to provide a platform for emerging talents to compete at a higher level while also giving experienced players the opportunity to showcase their skills.

“The competition is also expected to attract coaches, scouts, administrators and table tennis enthusiasts from different parts of the country.

The week-long tournament is expected to boost economic activities in Otan Ayegbaju as visitors and participants arrive for the event.

It will also give young people in the host community the opportunity to witness top-level table tennis competition.