Badminton
BADMINTON CONFEDERATION OF AFRICA CHIEF TIPS NIGERIA FOR GREAT SHOW IN TOKYO OLYMPICS
The Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA) has identified Nigeria as a leading country to inspire the continent into favourable position to compete with the rest of the big nations in the world.
The BCA Secretary General, Sahir Edoo said that Nigeria
is not only demonstrating that capacity with the quality of players the country
can boasts of at the moment but has taken it a notch up with the ability to
organise a world class competition.
Edoo said the game was moving fast on the
continent and Nigeria is playing the leading role in that charge.
He expects to see African players making great
impacts at the Olympics Games not only by having an increased number of stars
who will qualify for the showpiece but in terms of getting the results.
“Olympics is a big event and we have to
admit that big countries like China are still dominating badminton in the
world; we are expecting Africa to do well in Tokyo Olympics, we didn’t have
some many players at the last one but we are certain we will have a lot of them
making it this time.
“Of course we expect countries like Nigeria to
represent us very well,” he said.
He rated the standard of organisation and quality
of play on display at the ongoing All Africa very high, saying that the
Badminton Federation of Nigeria should be roundly commended.
“We have had an amazing competition so far;
the facilities, everything is great; I can say that Nigeria has put together
the biggest badminton competition in the world so far in terms of standard. We
have to thank the government of Rivers State, the organisers, the BFN, they
have all done an incredible job.
“We have also noticed impressive
performances from our players; the speed, the movements have been great in all
of the matches we have seen.
It is not only about big badminton countries like Nigeria, South Africa or Mauritius, we are also well pleased with what emerging countries like Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Congo DR have done,” he said.
However, the competition has claimed it’s first
biggest upset after the defending champions in the mixed team event Algeria
were bundled out of the competition in the quarterfinals by Georges
Paul-inspired Mauritius.
Algeria beat Nigeria to the title last year, but
could not survive the onslaught of Paul and his mates as the contest ended
3-1.
The Mauritius victory didn’t come without a
scare, they lost the mixed doubles event and top star Paul even dropped a set
in the men’s singles event with Hamel Adel.
Similarly, Ghana bundled out South Africa while
Nigeria and Egypt had easy ride over Uganda and Zambia respectively.
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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