Sports
9th Lagos International Badminton Classics: Dazzling Panda Sisters ready for final
The Indian Panda Sisters, Rutaparna and Swetaparna, have become the toast of spectators at the ongoing 9th Lagos International Badminton Classics after booking a place in the women’s doubles final.
The 27-year-old Rutaparna and her 21-year-old younger sister, Swetaparna, will face compatriots Kavipriya Selvan and Simran Singhi in an all-Indian final.
The Panda Sisters received a bye in the Round of 32 before defeating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) siblings, Myssha Omer Khan and Taabia Khan, in the next round.
In the semi-finals, the No. 2 seeds produced a dominant display, defeating South Africa’s Amy Ackerman and Johanita Scholtz 21-8, 21-13 to book their place in the final.
The sisters expressed confidence ahead of the final. Swetaparna said the day’s victories had boosted their confidence.
“We feel great because we played a good match in the morning and also in the afternoon.
“So, I feel quite confident for tomorrow’s match,” she said.
Rutaparna described the day as hectic but said they had managed the demanding schedule well.
“Yes, it was a very hectic day because in the morning also we played a match and in the evening also we played a match.
“It was like two matches in a day, but we somehow managed it and we are fully ready for tomorrow,” she said.
On their experience in Nigeria, the sisters praised the warmth of the people and the reception they had received from tournament officials.
Swetaparna, who has visited Nigeria twice previously, said she had always enjoyed her time in the country.
“I’ll say first, because I have been to Nigeria twice before and she has been once before. So, it has always been a great experience for me in Nigeria.
“The thing I love about Nigeria is the people are really my lucky ones,” she said.
Rutaparna said Nigeria had also proved to be a lucky destination for her.
“I will also say the same thing. It’s one of my lucky spots because last time also we went to an International Challenge and there also we won bronze.
“This time we are in the finals, so we are very, very excited to play tomorrow in the finals,” she said.
On what motivates them during competitions, the sisters said their training and the support of their parents had played significant roles in their development.
Swetaparna said badminton required considerable financial commitment and mental strength.
“Badminton is a really expensive sport and also you have to be mentally so strong.
“I feel the hard work my parents put in for both of us because we play individually. We are individual players.
“There is no coach sitting behind us. So, I feel the hard work they put in, my father and mother, that really helps us to be motivated,” she said.
Rutaparna said their training focused on both attacking and defensive aspects of the game.
“We train together and we try to focus on our attacking game style and it gives us good confidence.
“So, while training we try to focus on our attack. Also, we work on our defence because the women’s doubles is sometimes very long, like one hour, one and a half hours.
“So, we have to focus overall. Also, badminton is all about working hard.
“For training, we are focusing on training, on the gym and everything.
“It is a multi-kind of thing. Everything you need to have, you have to be good in everything,” she said.
Swetaparna added that speed and skill were also crucial to their success.
“We need a combination of everything. We need to make things proper,” she said.
The final between the two Indian pairs is scheduled to take place on Saturday at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Nigeria Institute of Sports (NIS), National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
Sports
NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu
Joel Ajayi
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.
Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.
The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.
“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.
“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”
Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.
He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.
Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.
“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.
He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.
On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.
Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.
He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.
“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.
“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”
“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.
“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.
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