Badminton: Naomi Oyinloye Becomes Nigeria’s First BCA Certified Umpire In 20 Years

The Nigerian Badminton Federation has lauded umpire Naomi Adeoyin Oyinloye after she became the first Nigerian to be elevated to a Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA) Certificated Umpire in two decades.

Ms Oyinloye achieved the status following a BCA Umpires Assessment which took place in Casablanca, Morocco during the All African Games last August.

The feat marks the first time a Nigerian Umpire will achieve that grade since the 2000 All Africa Senior Championships in Bauchi, Nigeria where a group of 5 Nigerian umpires were certificated.

BFN President Francis Orbih, Esq. praised Ms Oyinloye’s achievement remarking that the development is in line with the federation’s aspirations of growing the sport by ensuring the continued improvement of Nigerian players and coaches.

“It was one of the major things we wanted to achieve when the board gave the nod for the commencement of the series of Umpires Training courses which started in Abuja in 2018,” Orbih noted.

“These, among other crucial areas are what we will like to see firmly in place to justify the confidence that various stakeholders in the game have reposed in us”.

Ms Naomi Oyinloye emerged from the umpires training courses conducted by the Francis Orbih-led BFN. She was invited together with Adebayo George Ilori by the BCA to be part of the officiating officials at the All African Games in Morocco.

Adebayo Ilori was invited as a Referee and Miss Oyinloye as an Umpire. The BFN has also encouraged Adebayo Ilori to pursue the BCA Referee certification