Badminton
TEAM NIGERIA WIN ALL AFRICA SENIOR BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIPS
Team Nigeria have established their dominance on the continent after they clear the stable to emerge champions of the 2019 All Africa Senior Badminton Championships which ended in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Sunday.
Nigeria won four gold medals, two silver medals and
one bronze to top the medal table.
The team had earlier secured the most coveted
gold medal in the team event on Thursday and followed that up with further
three gold medals in the individual championships.
Top stars Anuoluwapo Opeyori and Dorcas Adesokan
produced the most stunning shows after they dethroned Georges Paul and Kate Foo
Kune from Mauritius in the men’s and women’s singles respectively.
Mauritius’ Kune had reigned as African champion
since 2014; she even beat Adesokan in the final of the last edition in Algeria,
but she met a determined Nigerian this time, who showed grit to hand down to
her a 21-12, 21-13 defeat in the final of women’s singles.
In the men’s singles, Godwin Olofua, ranked
third in Africa, had shockingly defeated top seed, Paul, in the semifinals to
set up all Nigerian affairs final with Opeyori.
It was a thrilling encounter between two friends
and mates but Opeyori won 21-17, 16-21, 21-17 to claim his maiden African
title.
It was also an Nigerian affairs in the women’s doubles
as the pair of Adesokan and Deborah Ukeh defeated Amin Christopher and Chinenye
Ibere.
In the mixed doubles, Algeria’s duo of Koceila
Mammeri and Linda Mazri successfully defended the title they won last year at
home when they defeated Nigeria’s Enejo Abbah and Peace Orji 15-21, 21-16,
21-18.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom
Wike, has expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the tournament and
the performance of Team Nigeria.
He announced a reward of $100,00 for Team
Nigeria for their efforts in the competition.
“The President of the Badminton
Confederation of Africa just told me that this is the best tournament they have
ever conducted; that’s is a every encouraging one.
“We
are happy to grab the opportunity of hosting this event and our government will
continue to support badminton and of course sports in general,” he said.
However, the President of the Nigeria Badminton
Federation, Francis Orbih, on behalf of the board, announced the conferment of
Wike as the Patron of the BFN.
Adesokan described her performance as the best
in her career. “Anytime I want to play against her I was always jittery
but I told myself that had to change this time. I have done it, Kate will never
beat me again,” she said.
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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