Badminton
With Bet9ja Badminton Championship, BFN reassures its commitment on sports development
As the third edition of the Bet9ja South East Badminton Championship in Enugu enters its second day, the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) has reaffirmed its commitment towards developing and promoting sports in every state of the federation, saying that the country has the potential to do well in any major championship.
The South East Zonal representative on the BFN board, Mrs Obiageli Edoga Solaja made the disclosure during the opening ceremony of the 3rd edition of the championship being fuelled by Bet9ja Foundation.
She stressed that the primary target for putting up such competition was to develop and nurture talented players from the region to stardom, thereby giving them the opportunity to be ranked among the top players in the country.
Emeka Ofora (right), Bet9ja Super Agent in Enugu lends support to the Gospel according to Badminton
The 1996 Atlanta Olympics player further hinted that Bet9ja championship is featuring over 60 players from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States competing for the star prize in the men and women events, men and women doubles, mixed doubles and Veterans categories, just as winners and outstanding players would be rewarded with cash prizes and incentives.
On his part, Coach of Team Enugu, Ifejika Godswill noted despite the competition witnessing both experienced and quality players, the state team will give a good account of themselves.
Meanwhile, some of the results from day 1 activities saw Bright (Enugu) defeat Divine (Ebonyi) (21-18, 21-16), David (Anambra) outsmart Ebuka in two straight sets of 21-17, 21-18.
Indeed, Jovita (Anambra) proved too hot handle as he controlled and dominated the game against his fellow state counterpart, Chibuike also in two straight sets of 21-13, 21-13, while the game between Sochima (Enugu) and Nonso (Abia) gave the fans something to cheer as both players fought for every point, but at the end, the Enugu player scaled through with a 2-1 set (16-21, 21-19, 21-15).
The thre-day Championship which is the innovation and concept of the Southeast East Zonal Badminton Outreach, endorsed by the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, BFN, is being sponsored by Bet9ja Foundation
Recall that Badminton made history for the country and Africa at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, as Mariam Eniola Bolaji became the first African athlete to win a badminton medal at the Paralympic Games.
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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