Badminton: Zilberman Plays Down Pressure Ahead of Fourth Singles Title Quest

Published

1 month ago

August 28, 2026

Israeli badminton star, Misha Zilberman stated that he is under no pressure to win another Lagos International Badminton Classics title.

The three-time champion described the current atmosphere in Nigeria as welcome after progressing to the quarterfinals at the ongoing championship in Lagos on Thursday.

He praised the expanded playing area, describing the spacious venue as beneficial to competitors participating in the tournament.

Zilberman said: “Coming back to Nigeria gives me good memories. I like it here, and I’m playing here this year in a bigger area.

“The space is very big and I think that’s very good for the players.

“The weather is good here, not so hot, and the quality of the badminton. I enjoy it.

“I like this place, the tournament. I think the organisation is very good. They are doing their best to take care of the quality.”

Zilberman has featured in about four previous editions, winning three titles across men’s singles and mixed doubles.

He claimed his first Nigerian title in 2014, defeating Austria’s Luka Wraber 2-0, 21-15, 21-12, at Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The victory earned him 1,830 dollars in prize money after competing as the tournament’s 49th-ranked player.

Zilberman returned as defending champion in 2015 but suffered a shock Round-of-32 defeat against Nigeria’s Ifraimu Janikam.

Janikam, ranked 511th at the time, stunned the Israeli in a dramatic encounter to end his title defence prematurely.

Zilberman returned in 2017 alongside his mother, Svetlana, and the pair won the mixed doubles title.

The pair defeated Portugal’s Duarte Anjo and Sofia Setim 20-22, 21-16, 21-7 at Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall.

In 2018, Zilberman secured his third Lagos title, defeating Malaysia’s Misbun Ramdan Mohmed Misbun 2-1 in the men’s singles final.

In spite of his previous success, Zilberman said his focus was on enjoying the tournament while giving his best against a younger generation.

“Every time I come here, I know that I’m getting older and it’s hard to fight with the young players.

“But still, I come here and I really enjoy playing in this tournament,” he said.

The Israeli, a bronze medallist at the 2022 European Games in Madrid, Spain, said his participation remained competitive in spite of his advancing age.

“I’m not coming here just to participate, but it will be tough, which I think is natural now that I am getting older,” he said.

He acknowledged the increasing strength of younger players but remained determined to compete strongly throughout the tournament.

“Each generation becomes stronger and stronger. I’m here and I will do my best. Hopefully, I can play my best game,” Zilberman said.

He said winning remained his primary objective, while accepting defeat if another competitor ultimately proved superior on court.

“My main goal and intention is to win and if I eventually do, I will be happy.

“If not, I’m also happy that someone played better than me and beat me,” he said.

Zilberman insisted that previous success had not created additional pressure ahead of his quarter-final appearance.

“I am not under any pressure. The younger ones should be under pressure. I’m just enjoying it here,” he said.

Zilberman is scheduled to play his quarter-final on Friday at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Institute of Sports, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

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NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

11 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

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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