Badminton
FRANCIS ORBIH, NIGERIA’S BADMINTON CHIEFTAIN ASSURE OF GOOD SHOW IN CHINA
The president of the Badminton Federation of
Nigeria (BFN) Francis Orbih is supremely
confident the country would do well after Team Nigeria secured the sole ticket
to represent Africa at the Sudirman Cup slated for China next month.
Team Nigeria edged rivals Mauritius in a nervy
tie that ended in a 3-2 victory in the mixed team event of the ongoing All
Africa Senior Championships and will now represent the continent in the world
team event for the first time.
No African team has progressed beyond the first
round at the Sudirman Cup and Orbih insisted Nigeria would change the narrative
in China.
“We are not going to do well only in that
Championships, we want to change the narrative by representing Africa at the
world stage. I can assure you that we are going to do well in that tournament
we are not going to get knocked out in the first round,” he said.
National coach Benjamin Orakpo shared in his
boss’ sentiment, insisting that his players showed strength and prowess with
their performance against Mauritius in the final of the team event.
He said the team would move into camping shortly
after the ongoing tournament.
“We had not won this team event in a very
long time and now we have it, there is always a first time. I can assure you
that immediately after this tournament we are going into camping and prepare
hard for the championships. I am not saying we are going to win in China but we
are going to represent Africa very well,” he said.
Meanwhile, action continues in the individual
event of the All Africa Senior Championships as most of the big guns progressed
into the next round.
Godwin Olofua, seeded third, appeared to have
confronted the toughest opponent as he battled hard to beat enterprising Aalish
Lubah from Mauritius and moved to round 16 of the men’s singles.
Aanuoluwapo Opeyori also made it to the next
round with a comfortable 21-12, 21-15 win over Egypt’s Ahmed El Khateeb. Number
eight seeded player Temitope Bello also defeated Adel Hamel of Algeria while
Clement Krobakpor accounted for the ouster of number four seed Adham
Edgamel.
Round of 32 matches were still going on as at
press time.
The competition ends on Sunday.
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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