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‎‎Lagos International Badminton Classics Day Three: Epic Matches, Upsets, and Finals Line-Up Set

Published

1 year ago

August 30, 2025

Joel Ajayi

The 8th Lagos International Badminton Classics (LIBC) reached fever pitch on Day Three as quarter-finals and semi-finals thrilled fans inside the Teslim Balogun Indoor Sports Hall, Surulere.

With 20 matches on schedule-and one walkover in the men’s doubles—the tournament delivered world-class rallies, dramatic upsets, and unforgettable spectacles, setting the stage for a blockbuster Final Day on August 30.‎

The ‎Walkover Drama and a Marathon Match‎‎The day began with a rare walkover in the men’s doubles, as P. Ravikrishna and S. Romdtiani (UAE) advanced without lifting a racket after Kazakhstan’s D. Panarin and M. Tajibullayev failed to show.‎‎But it was the mixed doubles clash between Rawat/Maneesha and Sharma/Kanapuran (all India) that stole headlines.

The quarter-final stretched into a 2-hour, 2-minute battle, nearly matching the longest recorded badminton match in history (2 hrs 41 mins).

In the end, Rawat and Maneesha triumphed in a pulsating three-set thriller, 21-19, 9-21, 22-20, to the delight of the Lagos crowd.‎‎Nigerian Hope and Heartbreak‎‎Nigeria’s Obanisola and Alabi thrilled home fans by defeating compatriots and tournament second seeds Ibere and Ukeh 21-19, 19-21, 21-19 in a tense all-Nigerian quarter-final.

Their dream run ended in the semi-finals against UAE’s Qathua and Sreejithparol, but hopes of a podium finish remain alive as they battle for third place.‎‎India’s Dominance in Women’s Singles‎‎India’s strong showing in the women’s singles was confirmed as Kashyap, the tournament’s second seed, advanced to the final with a 21-19, 21-17 win over Indonesia’s world-ranked 191 Ramadhani Wiryawan.

She will face compatriot S. Lele, who crushed Sihag (India) in just 35 minutes (21-12, 21-12), setting up an all-Indian women’s singles final.‎‎Men’s Singles: Asia Takes Center Stage‎‎Japan’s M. Koga and Indonesia’s P. Shujiwo booked their spots in the men’s singles final. Koga overcame Israel’s Dubovenko in three sets (17-21, 21-7, 21-8), while Shujiwo eliminated India’s M. Singh in another three-set battle (21-11, 20-22, 21-12).

Their clash promises fireworks as both chase glory and part of the improved $17,500 prize pool.‎‎Doubles Competition Heats Up‎‎Uganda’s women’s doubles duo, Mbabazi and Kobugabe, fell short in their bid for a semifinal berth, losing to UAE’s in-form pair Sreejithparol and Qathua. The Emirati duo continue to look like strong contenders heading into the final rounds.

‎‎International Praise for Nigeria’s Hospitality‎‎Athletes and officials continued to commend the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) for staging a world-class event, with the support of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and the Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA).

The smooth organization, vibrant Lagos atmosphere, and passionate crowd have underscored Nigeria’s growing reputation as a hub for elite badminton in Africa.‎“Day Three has given us classic matches that will be remembered for years,” said Tunde Kazeem BFN board member and technical director.

“From marathon rallies to underdog victories, the Lagos International Badminton Classics has shown the very best of our sport. Tomorrow’s finals will crown champions, but already, the tournament has been a triumph for badminton in Nigeria and Africa.

”‎‎With finals now set across singles and doubles categories, anticipation is building for Day Four – August 30, when the champions of the 2025 Lagos International Badminton Classics will be crowned.‎‎

Day Three- Top Highlights‎‎Mixed Doubles epic: Rawat/Maneesha (India) vs Sharma/Kanapuran (India) lasted 2h 02m, one of the longest matches in LIBC history.‎‎

Nigeria’s Obanisola/Alabi upset compatriots Ibere/Ukeh but lost semis to UAE’s Qathua/Sreejithparol; fight for bronze still alive.‎‎

Women’s Singles Final: All-India showdown as Kashyap faces S. Lele.‎‎Men’s Singles Final: Japan’s Koga vs Indonesia’s Shujiwo set for Sunday showpiece.‎‎Prize Pool: Improved purse of $17,500 adds extra incentive.

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Eight Athletes, 11 Medals: Applauding Asagba’s Sports Leadership At DELSU

Published

1 week ago

October 14, 2026

The Gleamer

By Godspower Odedede

Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, has recorded an impressive outing at the 15th West Africa University Games (WAUG) 2026, winning 11 medals with just eight athletes who represented the university in only three sporting events.

The university won seven gold, two silver and two bronze medals to occupy seventh position on the medal table, an achievement that underscores the potential of its athletes and the importance of purposeful investment in university sports.

DELSU participated in the men’s 100-metre sprint with two athletes, women’s judo with two athletes, and swimming with four male athletes. Despite the limited number of athletes and sporting events, the university’s medal haul was a commendable performance and a source of pride for the institution.

The achievement deserves particular recognition given the restricted scope of DELSU’s participation. With representation in only three sports, the university demonstrated that focused preparation, adequate support and the effective deployment of available talent can produce encouraging results at major university competitions.

A major highlight of DELSU’s preparation for WAUG 2026 was the approval by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba, for a quality two-week training programme for the university’s athletes in Asaba.

The camp provided the athletes with an opportunity to prepare using the excellent and up-to-date training facilities available in the state capital.

The initiative is particularly noteworthy as it represents a significant commitment to structured preparation for university sports. Rather than relying solely on athletes’ natural abilities, the training programme recognised the importance of preparation, access to appropriate facilities and institutional investment in performance.

Professor Asagba deserves commendation for this intervention and for demonstrating a willingness to provide practical support for sports development at DELSU. The university’s WAUG performance offers an encouraging indication of what can be achieved when athletes receive purposeful preparation and administrative backing.

The Vice-Chancellor’s broader vision for sports infrastructure is also encouraging. Plans are understood to be underway for the construction of an ultra-modern sports complex for the university in the near future. If delivered as anticipated, the facility could significantly strengthen DELSU’s capacity for athlete development, training, competitions and sports science activities.

Such infrastructure would also support the university’s ambitions to improve its performance at national and international university games. A modern sports complex could provide a foundation for more systematic talent identification, performance monitoring, coaching development and the preparation of athletes across a wider range of sporting events.

Special recognition must also go to Mrs Epebi-Ebi Noah, the swimming coach, who was physically present at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, with the DELSU swimming team during the competition. Her presence and involvement underline the importance of coaching support, technical guidance and close supervision of athletes during major sporting events.

The performance also calls for commendation of the Chairman of the University Sports Committee, Professor Ochuko Nabofa, whose leadership has brought renewed attention and energy to sports development at DELSU. His role in supporting the university’s sports administration and helping to strengthen the sporting environment deserves recognition.

Similarly, the Acting Director of Sports, Peter Omojuwa, deserves commendation for his administrative responsibilities and contribution to the university’s sporting programme. The Chief Coach, Lucky Ajaino, should also be recognised for his role in the technical preparation and development of DELSU athletes.

The combined efforts of the university management, sports committee, sports administrators and coaches are essential to sustaining progress. While medals provide a visible measure of success, the systems established to prepare athletes and support their development are equally important to the long-term growth of university sports.

DELSU’s WAUG achievement follows another notable outing at the last Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA) Games, where the university finished fourth. That result was regarded as one of the finest performances in the institution’s sporting history and strengthened expectations that DELSU could become an even more formidable force in university sports.

The latest WAUG performance provides another reason for optimism. However, the university’s participation in only three events also reveals an opportunity for further growth. Expanding participation across more sports, identifying talented students and improving access to specialised training could help DELSU compete for a higher position on future medal tables.

The proposed sports complex, if realised, could play a central role in this expansion. It should ideally be supported by sustained funding, modern equipment, qualified coaches, athlete welfare programmes and collaboration with relevant sports science professionals. These measures would help ensure that infrastructure investment translates into measurable improvements in performance.

The university could also consider strengthening performance analysis, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, talent identification and systematic monitoring of athletes’ progress. Such an approach would help transform individual successes into a sustainable university-wide sports development programme.

DELSU’s performance at WAUG 2026 is worthy of celebration. Eight athletes competed in just three sporting events and returned with 11 medals, including seven gold. The result reflects the potential within the university and provides a strong basis for building a more ambitious sports programme.

Professor Asagba’s approval of the two-week training camp and the prospect of an ultra-modern sports complex offer reasons to look forward to the next phase of DELSU sports development. The challenge now is to sustain the momentum, broaden participation and ensure that the university’s sporting ambitions are matched by consistent investment and effective implementation.

With continued support from the Vice-Chancellor, the University Sports Committee, the Directorate of Sports, coaches and other stakeholders, DELSU can build on its recent achievements and strengthen its position among Nigeria’s leading sporting universities.

The message from WAUG 2026 is clear: DELSU has demonstrated what a small but well-supported contingent can achieve. With broader participation, sustained preparation and modern sporting infrastructure, the university has the potential to accomplish even greater things.

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