Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has congratulated Kwara-born Nigeria’s star Mariam Bolaji on her gold medal win at the Spanish Para Badminton International 2024 in Toledo, Spain.
Bolaji, after a successful tournament, defeated India’s Mandeep Kaur 2-0 to win the gold medal.
The Governor said the win has cemented the towering status of Bolaji as a global para badminton sensation with impressive records over the past years.
He extends his appreciation to Bolaji’s managers and the Badminton Federation of Nigeria for their support in nurturing her talent and fostering her success.
The governor praised her effort in a statement sent by his chief press secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye: “These successive feats of Bolaji again underline the fact that disabilities exist only in our imagination. We are excited about the deserving successes of Bolaji whose talents, hard work, and focus have rightly earned her a choice place in global badminton community,” the Governor said.
The Governor said Bolaji’s feats send the signal to everyone, especially persons living with any form of disability, that hard work and determination can take them to the height of the world.
The Governor said the win brought to mind the death of another great talent Bello Oyebanji, a staff of the Kwara State Sports Commission who was Bolaji’s coach.
Oyebanji, one-time Nigeria and Africa champion, lost his life on his way from Lagos after collecting visas for himself and Bolaji to travel to Spain in 2021.
Bolaji is also scheduled to participate in the Paralympic Games in Paris in July.