Badminton
ABIA’s FIRST LADY DONATES VAN, PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR PARA BADMINTON
The First Lady of Abia State, Dr. Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu has donated a Toyota Sienna Van for the use of para-badminton players even as she promised to continue to support the game in the country.
The donation was made on Tuesday when the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) led by its president, Francis Orbih paid Dr. Ikpeazu a courtesy visit at the Government House, Umuahia.
The First Lady promised to make the Dr. Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu National Para Badminton Championship an annual event while assuring that the second edition will come up during the first quarter of next year alongside a Zonal Under-17 Championship.
She promised to lend support to para badminton players who are on the verge of qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Speaking earlier, Orbih stated that the BFN members were in Umuahia to express the board’s gratitude for the immense contribution of the First Lady to the development of para badminton in the country.
He said: “We really appreciate your contribution to the development of para badminton which has led to the growth of the game in the country. You have also shown commitment to the game by sponsoring the Dr. Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu National Para Badminton Championship in 2016, the National Para Badminton Team’s trip to the 2018 Uganda International Para Badminton Championship and the 2018 African Para Badminton Championship in Uganda.
“The First Lady’s support has greatly impacted on the team, making it ascend to the enviable position of the number one para badminton playing nation in Africa, while your effort also led to the team’s qualification for the 2019 World Para Badminton Championship in Basel, Switzerland which unfortunately the team could not attend due to visa issues.
“Her Excellency’s support also made it possible for some of the team’s members to be selected by the Badminton World Federation for part sponsorship towards qualification for the Paralympic Games in Tokyo,” Orbih added.
The BFN boss thanked the Abia First Lady for her decision to sponsor the second edition of the Dr. Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu National Para Badminton Championship with a view to making it an annual event, while also commending her for the van gift to players.
Orbih expressed belief that the history of Nigeria’s Para badminton would not be complete without the name and the huge contribution of Dr. Ikpeazu.
Board members who accompanied Orbih on the visit were Mrs. Obiageli Solaja, representative of the Southeast zone, Gabriel Gbayan, representative of the North central zone, Tunde Kazeem, Isaac Ogbole, Samuel Ekeoma, the National Coordinator of Para Badminton and Chinedu Osuoha, the Secretary-General of the Federation.
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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