Badminton
AGAIN, IT’S ANUOLUWAPO OPEYORI, GODWIN OLUFUA FINAL AT GOLDEN STAR KATSINA BADMINTON FINAL
As the third edition of Golden Star Katsina (GSK) National Badminton Championship enters its final day the Men’s Singles event is the major attraction.
The category, after some initial scares and jitters, saw the eventual emergence of what has long become a tradition; an Anuoluwapo Opeyori &, Godwin Olufua final match.
The pair of Tunde Bankole and Isaac Minaphee are joint third men singles’ winners after losing to Anu and Godwin respectively.
The Women’s Singles produced the finals of home girl, Ruth Chinenye Ibere (GSK) and comeback queen, Grace Gabriel of Plateau State. Aminat Funke Ilori (Ogun/FRSC) and Judith Aganyi (Federal Capital Territory) are bronze medallists after losing to Ruth and grace respectively.
The Men’s Doubles event produced the biggest upset of the tournament when the pair of a former African Number One player, Jinkam Ifraimu Bulus (Taraba) and Daniel Phillip (Adamawa) defeated the deadly pair of Anuoluwapo Opeyori (Lagos/FRSC) and Godwin Olofua (Lagos), currently ranked Number One pair in Nigeria and Africa 21-16, 16-21, 22-20 to set up a final against the pair of Eneojo J.Abah and Isaac Minaphee (Delta State).
The latter pair had earlier dispatched the young pair of Saddam Rufai Sidi and Khalil Shamsuddeen Safana (GSK), both junior international players.
The Women’s Doubles Finals is between Grace Gabriel / Ruth C.Ibere (Plateau/Karsna/FRSC) and Peace Orji Abah / Juliet Jacob (Delta/Taraba).
The first pair rode through to the Finals by beating Joy Marcus/Winner David (NS/GSK), while the second pair trounced the pair of Folashade Akinyemi/ Olajumoke Afolabi (KD/NA) to advance thence.
Mixed Doubles has a battle set between Nigeria’s Number One and Africa’s Number Two MXD pair of Eneojo Joseph Abah and his beautiful wife, Peace Orji-Abah (DT/RV) & Aliyu Alhaji Shehu / Maryam Umar (NG)
The bronze in the category was won by Jovita Anikwe / Queen Chibuzor (AN) and Akinsola Simeon/ Aminat Funke Ilori (OG/ FRSC).
The foray into the last eight and Semifinals by hitherto unknown players greatly underlines the development and progress the game has recorded in recent years through the regular national tournaments as organized by the current Board of the Federation in it’s effort to avail all players of the game the opportunity to sharpen their skills and get the necessary exposure and experience.
The level of this edition’s games, which was honoured by no less than 28 states and four national agencies, has remained very high.
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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