Sports
Lagos Set to Host 2025 International Badminton Classic with Players from 31 Nations
Joel Ajayi
Lagos is set to take center stage in the world of badminton as preparation reaches its peak for the 8th Lagos International Badminton Classics, scheduled to hold from August 27 to 30, 2025, at the Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
The prestigious four-day championship which promises to be a showcase of world-class talent is organised by the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) in collaboration with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and support from the Lagos State Sports Commission.
The 2025 Lagos International Badminton Classics will feature over 200 players from 31 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Powerhouse badminton nations including India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Indonesia will compete alongside top athletes from the United States, Canada, France, Egypt, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, underlining the tournament’s truly global appeal.
Speaking on the championship, the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Mr. Lekan Fatodu, expressed his delight at Lagos’ readiness to host athletes from around the world. He reaffirmed the State Government’s vision of making Lagos a true epicenter of multi-sports in Africa.
“Lagos is fully prepared to host this landmark event, with world-class facilities and robust security in place. Our commitment goes beyond competition, it is about deepening sports development as a driver of youth empowerment, productivity, and economic growth, while reinforcing Lagos as Africa’s hub for multi-sports,” he said.
This year alone, Lagos through the active backing of the Lagos State Sports Commission has provided enabling environment and supported the successful hosting of international tournaments across various disciplines including the Festival of Table Tennis, African Senior Fencing Championship, Zen Archery Lagos International Open, and many more.
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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