Badminton
BADMINTON FEDERATION MOURNS DEJI TINUBU
As the sporting family continues to bemoan the passing on of the former Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Council, Deji Tinubu, the president of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih has described the death as both personal and corporate los.
He extends condolence to Lagos State Government and the entire sporting community describing the deceased as a strong supporter of badminton and that Tinubu helped to grow the sports in Lagos State and Nigeria during his tenure as the Special Adviser to the Governor Lagos State Sports/Chairman Lagos State Sports Commission.
Francis Orbih lamented that badminton has lost a true friend. “We have lost a pillar of badminton in Lagos and Nigeria. Deji Tinubu was always there for us. It was during his tenure we had the first Lagos Governor’s South-West Badminton Championship in 2017”.
In a media release signed by the BFN president, Francis Orbih remarked that Tinubu was of great assistance when the third Lagos International Badminton Championship took place in 2017.
“He didn’t play but he loved badminton indeed. He showed it by his words and actions. Deji was a thoroughbred sports administrator and lover.
“Yes he truly loved badminton. He took personal interest in anything that concerned the Lagos Badminton team. He spared nothing to make sure the team was provided for. He gave the team his personal money anytime they made a trip.
“I mean anytime except he was not aware or informed about such a trip. He always gave money to buy shuttlecocks and sometimes he bought shuttlecocks himself for the team to train.
“He will buy diesel with his money for the generator so that the badminton team can train. He always asked after Anu and Godwin the two top Lagos state badminton players.
“He would say “Frank just let me know of any programme you have for Anu and Godwin and I will make sure Lagos state supports them in addition to my personal support”.
Continuing, the BFN president remarked: “As a matter of fact, he just gave the two Lagos State players and their coach money to travel to Katsina for the national camp.
“Such was the extent of love Deji had for badminton like he did for other sports. In addition to all of these, Deji was a friend and a brother. A true friend indeed. A gentleman to the core.
“We had something in common that got us even closer, we were both great fans of Mohammed Ali. I am just short of words.
“The Nigerian Badminton family and the Nigerian Sports fraternity will miss him.”
The Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) has continued its nationwide grassroots development drive with a two-day outreach training held in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.
Organised in collaboration with the Adamawa State Sports Council, the State Ministry of Education, and the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF), Adamawa chapter, the training took place on 24 and 25 September 2025 at the General Murtala Mohammed College hall.
A total of 20 Physical Education teachers and 80 secondary school students from the Yola area participated in the intensive programme, which aimed to introduce badminton to schools and promote the sport at the grassroots level.
The training was facilitated by a team of five coaches led by George Shitta, who also serves as the Director of Sports at the Taraba State Sports Commission. Participants were taken through the fundamentals of badminton, including grip techniques, footwork, serving, stroke execution, game strategy, and proper warm-up routines.
According to the organisers, the programme was part of the BFN’s ongoing partnership with the Community Sports and Educational Development (CSED) Initiative, which has supported similar “Shuttle Time” and “Outreach Badminton Training” sessions across the country over the past three years. These sessions are designed to help teachers and students learn the game together while fostering teamwork, discipline, and social development.
The trainees actively engaged with the coaches — asking questions, sharing experiences, and demonstrating newly acquired skills. At the end of the programme, each participating school received badminton kits, including rackets, shuttlecocks, and nets, to help sustain practice beyond the training.
The Director of the Adamawa State Sports Council, Mr. Daniel Ahmed, graced the event, while the lead facilitator, George Shitta, paid courtesy visits to key education stakeholders — Hajiya Aisha M. Umar, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, and Birsan Panuel, Executive Secretary of the Post Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB).
Organisers described the initiative as a model of effective collaboration among sports authorities, education agencies, and development partners — a partnership they hope will continue to enhance both the academic and athletic growth of teachers, coaches, and students in Adamawa State.
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The curtain fell on the 8th Lagos International Badminton Classics at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Saturday, with host nation Nigeria making the podium and the event earning praise as a model for sports tourism in Africa.
Though global heavyweights dominated the finals, Nigeria’s Obanisola and her partner gave the home crowd reason to cheer by clinching bronze in the Women’s Doubles, ensuring the green and white were represented on the podium.
Elsewhere, India’s S. Lele defended her Women’s Singles crown with a 21-15, 21-17 victory over compatriot Kashyap, while Russia’s neutral duo Alimov and Ogloblin sealed Men’s Doubles gold against UAE’s Ravikrishna and Rimdahoi.
Tournament organizers hailed the event as a resounding success. “The Lagos International Badminton Classics has once again proven that Nigeria is ready to host world-class sporting events,” said Francis Orbih, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN). “We are building a brand that showcases Africa’s talent, hospitality, and passion for badminton.”
With $17,500 prize money shared among winners and athletes praising the hospitality of Lagos, the championship reaffirmed Nigeria’s growing profile as a hub for global sports. The 9th edition in 2026 promises an even bigger spectacle.
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Indonesia stamped their authority on the 8th Lagos International Badminton Classics, turning the Teslim Balogun Stadium into a stage of triumph as they swept multiple gold medals on the final day of action.
From the opening Mixed Doubles clash to the showpiece Men’s Singles final, the Southeast Asian powerhouse asserted its dominance.
The pair of Prasetyo and Munggaren set the tone by defeating India’s Ravat and Maneesha 21-15, 21-17, before P. Shujiwo powered past Japan’s M. Koga 21-15, 21-17 in a pulsating Men’s Singles final.
The Indonesians celebrate in style
The Women’s Doubles final confirmed Indonesia’s superiority, with Meida and Nastine dispatching UAE’s Quathun and Sreejithparol in just 25 minutes (21-18, 21-7), the shortest contest of the evening.
The highlight of the celebrations came as Indonesia’s national anthem echoed repeatedly through the Okoya Thomas Indoor Hall, with Ambassador Bambang Suharto personally presenting the Men’s Singles trophy to Shujiwo — a moment that underscored the national pride attached to the victories.
With three golds and several silver finishes, Indonesia emerged as the undisputed star nation of Africa’s premier badminton competition.
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