Badminton
Japan boost Badminton Federation of Nigeria
The Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) has received a boost of donation of 80 Rackets from the Nippon Badminton Association.
The presentation was made by the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi to the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the BFN, Francis Orbih.
The presentation was made at the Package B of Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The occasion was graced by the Nigeria Olympic Committee President, Habu Gumel; a representative of the Sports Ministry, Mrs.Okpara Thekela, an Assistant Director at the Ministry and some former members of the BFN board.
The Ambassador spoke so glowingly of the country despite being here in person only a month ago.
He spoke of the need for the two countries to partner towards the development of sports.
He also expressed his joy that his first official assignment has to do with sports, being a sportsman, a gymnast.
He went ahead to pay his respects to the deceased Para badminton champion, Bello Oyebanji and commended his ward, Eniola Mariam Abolaji, who won the first ever gold medal in any international Para badminton championship outside Africa by any African Para badminton player.
He expressed his anticipation of meeting the young Champion at the World Para badminton championship in Japan, come October.
There was an address by the representative of the Nippon Badminton Association where he read out a note by the Chairman. He promised to further support the development of the game in Nigeria as best as the Association could.
The Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of BFN, Francis Orbih in his speech touched on the links of the two nations in badminton terms, stating that at the period that Japan is on top of World Badminton, Nigeria has qualified for the Olympics for the first time in 12 years and the first time ever to qualify for Men’s Doubles at the Olympics.
He also pointed out a number of incidents, like the Yonex Japan’s pledge to kit the Nigeria Team at the Olympics after a good performance at the 2021 Yonex All England championship.
On the whole, he called for further mutually beneficial partnerships between the two countries. He finally expressed his profound gratitude for the kind gesture by the Nippon Badminton Association, Japan.
After the handover of the Rackets by the Ambassador, there was a brief and interesting moment of First Racket Performance, where the Ambassador “played” against the Caretaker Chairman for a few minutes to a loud applause by the officials and players present.
There was a lengthy session of photos where the Ambassador, the Chairman, the NOC President and the Ministry Representative opened the floor and others followed.
Thereafter, the President of the NOC, Habu Gumel went on to give a speech in which he extolled the virtues and efforts of the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee who is also the immediate past President of the federation, praying for him to continue the good work he has been doing for the game.
In all, the event was a huge success with the Ambassador turning everyone’s friend with his outright friendly nature.
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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