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Edo Sports Commission, Badminton Federation of Nigeria hold training for students

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Rapt attention as the games masters and students listen to instructors from the Badminton Federation of Nigeria and the Edo Sports Commission.

The Edo Sports Commission and the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) have held a two-day badminton training for games masters/mistresses in Uzarue, in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The event, which was held at the premises of St Angela’s Girls Grammar School Uzarue was attended by 21 teachers and 84 students from 21 secondary schools in Etsako land, as well as secondary schools from Igarra, Afuze and Ikpeshi.

The unique thing about this grassroots badminton training is that it provides teachers and students with the opportunity to learn the basics of a sport together at the same time.

The training involved the theoretical aspect of the game and more importantly the practical area of badminton.

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All’s well that ends well. A group photograph of all the participants.

The training was conducted by three qualified “Shuttle Time” trainers, Godswill Afejika, Olalekan, Fajimiyo, and Blessing Osayomwanbo.

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The trainees were taught shaped grip and the thumb grip. There was also court work with balloons. Balloons were used for services and smashing drills.

On the second day of the training event, the three trainers held a session with the game’s masters/mistresses.

This was followed by a session with the students. The games masters/mistresses were taught the technical aspect of badminton, which involves officiating, rules of the game, safeguarding, and the roles of the games masters/mistress in developing the game in their various schools.

The students had their practical session on basic badminton grips, strokes, footwork and the rules of the game with the use of balloons.

The training event, which was bankrolled by Edo State Sports Commission with the technical support of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) was powered by CSED (Community Sport and Educational Development) Initiative.

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The event is a reflection of what can be achieved at the grassroots level if government agencies (education, sport and health), sporting federations/associations and the third sector (NGOs and private individuals) collaborate to share knowledge and resources to use access to sports to build the capacity of teachers and students.

At the end of the training event, free basic badminton equipment (nets, rackets and shuttlecocks) was distributed to the 21 schools in order to support the learning and practicing of the students and their teachers in their various schools.

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Distribution of equipment to representatives of the schools.

Since the current Board Members of the BFN assumed office, they have worked hard to attract the support of different organisations and sponsors in their attempt to attract new and young players to the game of badminton.

This they have done by organizing “Shuttle Time” training as well as “badminton outreach training in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria, through the BFN partnership with CSED Initiative.

It is hoped that other sports federations would emulate the grassroots developmental effort of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, who have also taken the game to at-risk groups (IDPs and asylum seekers) in Nigeria.

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Badminton

Badminton Federation Takes Grassroots Outreach to Yola

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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.

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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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Nigeria Shines as Lagos International Badminton Classics Ends on High Note

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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 Dominate Lagos International Badminton Classics with Golden Sweep

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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.

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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.

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With three golds and several silver finishes, Indonesia emerged as the undisputed star nation of Africa’s premier badminton competition.

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