Sports
Excitement: Over 120 Players Storm Lagos 2025 International Badminton Classic
Jeph Ajayi
The Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), in collaboration with the Badminton World Federation (BWF), is proud to announce that the prestigious Lagos International Badminton Classic 2025 will take place from August 27 to 30 at the Teslim Balogun Indoor Sports Hall, Surulere, Lagos.
The Lagos International Badminton Classic, sanctioned by the BWF, has grown into one of Africa’s premier badminton competitions, offering athletes from across the globe a vital opportunity to earn ranking points toward World Championships and Olympic Games qualification.
This year’s edition promises to be the most competitive yet, as players from 31 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas are confirmed to participate.
Among the participating nations are: India, Japan, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, France, USA, Canada, Nigeria, and Egypt, alongside other countries making the tournament a truly global affair.
The Lagos International Badminton Classic continues to solidify Nigeria’s reputation as a host of world-class sporting events. Athletes from diverse nations are expected to bring their finest form to Lagos, delivering four days of high-intensity matches filled with speed, strategy, and skill.
Speaking on the significance of the tournament, Francis Orbih, Esq- President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, stated:
“The Lagos International Badminton Classic is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s international sports calendar. Beyond competition, it provides our athletes with global exposure while positioning Lagos as a key destination for badminton development on the continent. We are excited to welcome the world once again.”
Over 120 Players from the following countries are confirmed for the championship,
Saudi Arabia, USA, Norway, France, Ireland, Nigeria, Israel, Indonesia, Italy, Greece, Cameroon, Kazakhstan, Korea, Slovakia, Portugal, Egypt, Bulgaria, Malaysia, Philippines, Canada, Myanmar, Uganda, Cook Islands, Switzerland, India, Japan, Austria, Thailand, Iran, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates.
The 2025 Lagos International Badminton Classic is proudly organized by the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) with the support of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA), the Lagos State Government, and valued corporate partners. The tournament reflects a shared commitment to advancing sports development, promoting youth engagement, and projecting Nigeria on the global badminton map.
Sports fans, corporate stakeholders, and the general public are invited to witness this four-day showcase of badminton excellence. Admission is free and live stream broadcast is available on the federation’s social media handles, ensuring fans across Nigeria and beyond can follow the action.
Sports
FCT FA Board Member Urges Grassroots Reform, Hopeful For Super Eagles World Cup Qualification
Legal Practitioner And Administrator Barr Bucknor Threatens To Petition FCT Minister Over Abandoned Stadiums
Despite Nigeria’s precarious position in the race for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Barrister Babatunde Burknor, a board member of the FCT Football Association (FA), remains hopeful that the Super Eagles can still secure qualification.
Nigeria currently sits third in their qualification group with 11 points from 8 matches, trailing Benin Republic and South Africa, who both lead with 14 points. Yet Burknor, a seasoned football administrator and grassroots sports advocate, believes all is not lost.
In a recent interview made available to BSN Sports, Burknor said: “Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may appear almost impossible, but that doesn’t mean it is out of reach. The situation is tough, yes, but looking at the quality of players in our squad, I still believe we can make it.”
He added that unexpected results from other group rivals could work in Nigeria’s favour.
“Football is unpredictable. There is still a chance that South Africa, Benin Republic, or Rwanda could drop points. If we win our remaining two games, we still stand a chance. Sometimes football reflects life where the strong may fall while the seemingly weak stand tall.”
Calls for Grassroots Reform in the FCT
Beyond national team concerns, Burknor also used the opportunity to address the state of sports development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urging the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to take concrete action to revamp local infrastructure.
“We have deep-rooted problems when it comes to grassroots sports. The major issue is a lack of funding and commitment from those charged with driving development at that level,” he said.
Burknor lamented the disappearance of once-thriving youth competitions like the Chairman’s Cup, Principal’s Cup, and Shell Cup, stating that such events played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing young talent.
“It’s disheartening that these programs are no longer active. Development is impossible without facilities, yet we lack even basic training grounds.”
The legal luminary revealed that he personally upgraded the sports facility at a government secondary school in his area to serve as a makeshift training centre, due to the absence of a functioning local stadium.
He is currently drafting a petition to Minister Wike, over abandoned stadiums in FCT, urging a comprehensive audit of officials responsible for sports development across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
Progress in Gwagwalada Football Development
As Vice Chairman of the Gwagwalada Football Council, Burknor highlighted the success of the Gwagwalada Football League, which has become a model for other Area Councils.
“In just two years, we’ve turned the Gwagwalada Football League into a success story. Several players from the league have already secured contracts in Europe. This shows what can be achieved with vision and consistency.”
Barrister Burknor, emphasized that grassroots football holds the key to Nigeria’s long-term football success and must be taken seriously.
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