Badminton
WORLD NO. 1 BADMINTON PLAYER, KENTO MOMOTA IN CAR CRASH
Badminton world No. 1 Kento Momota has been injured in a car accident in Malaysia, with the driver of the vehicle killed in the crash early this Monday January 13.
The pre-dawn vehicle collision took place along the Maju Expressway early Monday morning, just hours after he secured his first victory of the season at the Malaysia Masters.
The Japanese shuttler was with three other players en route to Kuala Lumpur International Airport when the hired van they were in rammed into the rear of a 30-tonne truck, the local fire and rescue department said in a brief statement.
Pictures showed the front of the van crushed against a lorry but the back section appeared intact.
The driver of the van, named as N. Bavan, was killed in the accident. The fire and rescue department said it was still working to extricate the driver’s body from the wreckage.
Momota and the others – named as the Japanese player’s compatriots Yu Hirayama, Morimoto Arkifuki and Englishman William Thomas by official news agency Bernama – suffered slight injuries, the department said.
Malaysian daily The Star said Hirayama, 35, and Morimoto, 42, are part of the Japanese coaching team while Thomas is a Badminton World Federation (BWF) court official.
The vehicle crashed into the back of a lorry, which was travelling slowly,
Bernama reported.
“The victim’s body and all the injured” were sent to hospital in the administrative capital Putrajaya, fire and rescue department senior official Norazam Khamis was cited as saying.
The injured “were able to walk out of the van by themselves with some scratches”, he added.
The survivors were reportedly in a stable condition, according to a statement from Serdang police. This was confirmed by Malaysian Tan Kim Her, who is the men’s doubles coach for the Japanese national team.
“They are in stable condition but are currently under observation for another six to seven hours to see if they are okay,” The Star quoted him as saying.
“It’s truly tragic, especially involving a badminton icon like Momota,” Malaysian sports minister Syed Saddiq told reporters after visiting the injured in hospital.
But he added those hurt were “recovering well, (and) all four are also in stable condition”.
The others hurt suffered facial, leg, hand and head injuries, according to the police.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia said in a statement it was “saddened” by what happened.
The incident has cast a pall over Momota’s celebrations after he had captured the Malaysia Masters title with ease on Sunday, when he beat Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen 24-22, 21-11.
It remains to be seen if the accident will affect his preparations for the upcoming Olympics, where he is bidding to win a first gold at his home Games – the only major individual title to elude him so far.
The reigning world champion had told reporters that he was eyeing more success in 2020 after Sunday’s victory.
Momota, currently the best player on the planet, enjoyed a stellar 2019, winning 11 titles including the World Championships, Asia Championships and All England Open.
“My condition was not perfect coming into this tournament, but I was focused on this week and was able to play calmly,” said the Japanese star, who pocketed US$30,000 (S$40,500).
“I do not think I am the strongest, but I am sharp and confident especially after winning the World Tour Finals last year. I know when to focus on attack and defence.”
-AFP/Reuters
Team Nigeria reaffirmed its dominance in African para badminton, emerging overall champions at the Africa Para Badminton Championships 2025, which concluded on Sunday at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Abia State.
The hosts were in a class of their own, sweeping an impressive 36 medals — including 10 gold, 13 silver, and 13 bronze — to finish far ahead of other participating nations.
Kenya’s National Olympic Committee secured second place with 11 medals (four gold, two silver, and five bronze), while Egypt rounded off the top three with eight medals (three gold, one silver, and four bronze).
The Republic of Benin followed in fourth with one gold, two silver, and two bronze medals, and the Democratic Republic of Congo placed fifth with one gold and two bronze. Tunisia came sixth with one silver and one bronze, while Cameroon claimed seven place after collecting six bronze medals.
Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, and Rwanda each won two bronze medals to complete the top 10, while Mauritius earned one bronze medal. Only Mozambique finished without a medal among the 12 participating countries that featured in 19 events during the week-long championship, which began on October 7.
Nigeria’s gold medalists included several standout performers: Eniola Bolaji, Africa’s undisputed queen of para badminton; Chigozie Nnanna, Chukwuemeka Eze, Ijeoma Chukwuemeka, Mary Nathan, Chinyere Okoro, Munkwoba Goman, and Bello Tukur.
Notably, Bolaji, Nnanna, and Nathan had also captured gold at the First Abia Para Badminton International held at the same venue a week earlier, from September 30 to October 5, underscoring their consistency and dominance.
Nigeria’s silver medalists included Odinachi Uwalaka, Obinna Nwosu, Ifeanacho Ohaeri, Ebikoboere Brown, Abel David, James Akpan, and Nendimwa Monday, among others.
At the colourful closing ceremony, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State hailed the athletes for their courage, skill, and sportsmanship. Represented by Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Nwaobilor Ananaba, Otti praised the event as a landmark achievement for Nigeria and the continent.
“We have learned, improved, and been inspired. And let me assure you — Abia will bid to host again, and when we do, we will offer an experience that will far surpass this pioneering effort,” he said.
Francis Orbih, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), lauded the para athletes for embodying the spirit of resilience and human dignity through their performances.
“Our para athletes have shown that sport is a powerful expression of ability, resilience, and human dignity,” Orbih said, extending appreciation to the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA) for their support and guidance.
Orbih also commended the Abia State Government for providing a world-class venue and a welcoming atmosphere that fostered friendship and unity among participants.
The Africa Para Badminton Championships 2025 not only crowned Nigeria as continental champions but also showcased the nation’s capacity to host international sporting events of the highest standard — a milestone that officials say will serve as a springboard for future competitions on African soil.
MEDAL TABLE
| Country | Position | Medals | Total No. of Medals | ||
| No. of Gold Medals | No. of Silver Medals | No. of Gold, Bronze Medals | |||
| Nigeria | 1st | 10 | 13 | 13 | 36 |
| Kenya | 2nd | 4 | 2 | 5 | 11 |
| Egypt | 3rd | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 |
| Benin | 4th | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| Congo | 5th | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Tunisia | 6th | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Cameroon | 7th | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Zimbabwe | 8th | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Burkinafaso | 9th | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Rwanda | 10th | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Mauritius | 11th | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
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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.
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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