Badminton
Badminton Federation of Nigeria’s Shuttle Time shuttles to Bayelsa State
BY HANANEEL JACKSON
And the shuttling continues for Badminton Federation of Nigeria’s ‘Shuttle Time’ as Bayelsa State takes its turn. The Shuttle Time is a global effort to take the sport to the grassroot.
The event in Bayelsa State is the fifth in the series after similar training and grooming sessions in Ogun, Anambra, Kwara and states. ‘Shuttle Time’, according to the Badminton World Federation (BWF) is a project in which lessons are designed to provide children with a positive image of badminton through many opportunities to have fun, engage with others and experience success.
The event in Nigeria is been organised by the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) in partnership with Community Sport Educational Development (CSED) Initiative.
The Yenagoa programme at the multipurpose Hall Hall Samson Siasia Stadium, involved 21 schools and their teachers who are games masters/mistresses.
The schools that attended are: Belary Group of Schools, Tare Pet Montessori School, CSS Otuokpoti, Tessy Nursery, Pry. & Sec. School, Samara Montessori & High School, St. Judes Girls Amarata, GGS Okolobiri, CSS Oruma, CSS Elebele, GSTC Okaka, Best Breed School, GSS Ovom, CSS Okodi, GSTC Swali, GSS Obogoro, CSS Otuoke/Otuaba, CSS Okiama, Blossom School, Bayelsa State Sports Academy Osoama and Bayelsa State Sports Council Badminton Team.
The Games master of Community Secondary School Otuokpoti, Funsho Ekundayo, remarked that they were pleased with the ‘Train the Trainers’ program, saying that the training has impacted positively on them the teachers and the lads.
He noted that the program has in the last two days engaged the minds of the kids and he is confident of seeing world champions emerge from this program.
Also, the National Shuttle Time Coordinator, Coach Suleiman Tajudeen, commended the schools for the show of passion displayed by the various secondary schools, adding that it was one of the training programs with very high number of participants in attendance at the grassroots level.
Declaring the event closed, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development Chief Daniel Igali, represented by the Director of Sports Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi, reiterated the ‘Prosperity Government’ commitment towards the development of sports.
Sir Wodi asserted that the turn out from the secondary schools is a reflection that Bayelsa State is the hub of sports in Nigeria, stressing that the Bayelsa superlative outing in competitions in recent times was as a result of the governor’s relentless support and adequate funding of sports.
He appreciated the Badminton Federation of Nigeria led by Mr. Francis Orbih and the sponsors Community Sport Educational Development (CSED) Initiative, for taking badminton to secondary schools in the State, describing the initiative as laudable.
Sir Wodi equally commended the Governor, Senator Douye Diri and his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Chief Daniel Igali, for giving premium attention to sports in the last three and half years of the administration.
The highpoint of the program was the presentation of equipment (rackets, nets and shuttles) courtesy of CSED, to the various secondary schools and group photographs.
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- World Cup1 week ago
BREAKING: At last FIFA’s Axe falls on South Africa!
- World Cup1 week ago
South Africa to Appeal FIFA Ruling Over Mokoena Eligibility Case
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Super Eagles Set for Double Friendly Showdown with Venezuela and Colombia in USA
- World Cup1 week ago
Sport Minister Orders Probe into SAFA over Bafana’s Costly Points Deduction
- World Cup6 days ago
FIFA Sanction on South Africa Offers Super Eagles a Lifeline — But a Lesson from History Looms
- CAF Confederation Cup1 week ago
Asante Kotoko End Kwara United’s Confederation Cup Campaign in Abeokuta
- U-20 FOOTBALL1 week ago
Two penalty appeal lost as Flying Eagles stumble at first hurdle
- World Cup4 days ago
Super Eagles Walk Tightrope as Nine Key Players Risk Suspension in World Cup Qualifiers