Badminton
Badminton ‘Gospel’ according to CSED spread to Benin City
The global effort to popularise badminton through a programme code-named “Shuttle Time” is spreading like wild fire in Nigeria.
Through a partnership of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) and sports-inclined NGO, Community Sports and Educational Development (CSED) Initiative, the shuttle time which served off in Ogun State in April has now taken place in six other states.
The latest is in Benin City, Edo State where CSED also partnered with the Edo State Badminton Association and the Edo State Sports Commission as well as the Edo State Ministry of Education to hold a two-day badminton Shuttle Time.
The training event took place at the indoor sports Complex Etete in Benin City was attended by 27 Physical Education teachers and 54 primary and secondary school students
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Shuttle Time is a grassroots badminton programme that is designed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) that aim at introducing badminton to school students and the wider community.
This unique training programme provides students, teachers and community leaders the opportunity to learn the basics of the game together, in a fun filled environment.
A feature of the training is the use of small balloons to teach the participants hand-eye coordination.
The latest training event in Benin City was facilitated by the Shuttle Time Coordinator for Nigeria, Taju Suleiman.
He was supported by coaches Olalekan Oteghekpen Fajimiyo and Osayomwanbo Blessing Ehiorobo of the Edo State Sports Commission.
The vice-chairman of Edo State Badminton Federation, Mrs Amaka Onwuka represented the chairman of Edo State Badminton Association, Mr Onome Obruthe.
The chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission was represented by Mrs Lilet Oyebade (secretary of Edo State Badminton Association).
At the end of the training event, Mrs Amaka Onwuka presented 100 badminton rackets, 20 badminton nets and some badminton shuttlecocks to the teachers, which they are expected to using in introducing badminton to their students in their respective schools.
Mrs Amaka Onwuka urged the teachers and students to make good use of the badminton equipment that was freely provided by CSED Initiative, as part of their two years’ grassroots development partnership with the Badminton Federation of Nigeria.
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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