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
Nigeria Jets Out Tuesday for 2025 Hockey AFCON as Federation President Engr Nkom Backs Teams for Podium Finish
Joel Ajayi
With the 2025 Hockey African Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to take place in Egypt from October 11 to 18, both the men’s and women’s national hockey teams are set to depart Nigeria on October 7, brimming with confidence and determination to make the nation proud.
The President of the Hockey Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Engineer Simon Nkom, speaking after a series of friendly matches at the Hockey Pitch, Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, said the teams’ early preparation and intensive training camps have positioned them for a successful outing in Egypt.
“In sports—whether it’s hockey, handball, or basketball—fitness is key. That’s why we began camping weeks ago to build the players’ strength and resilience ahead of this major competition. This is the African Cup of Nations—the highest level of hockey on the continent. We’ve prepared well, and I’m confident our teams will finish on the podium,” he stated.
Nkom highlighted the significant progress Nigerian hockey has recorded in recent years, noting that the country’s world ranking improved from 56th to 36th, while in Hockey 5s, Nigeria now stands 12th globally.
“A few years ago, people barely knew hockey existed in Nigeria. Today, our women’s team ranks 3rd in Africa, and the men’s team is 4th. This growth is a product of deliberate grassroots development and consistent effort,” he added.
To ensure smooth participation and avoid past challenges of late arrivals at tournaments, the federation has finalized logistics for early departure.
“We’ve made all arrangements for the teams to leave early to acclimatize and play friendly matches before the competition begins. The players are motivated, relaxed, and ready to give their best. By God’s grace, they will return home with their heads held high,” Nkom assured.
The HFN President also lauded the federation’s board members for their commitment and teamwork over the past four years, which he said has greatly contributed to the sport’s steady rise in Nigeria.
Head coach Ndana Baba Abdullahi, who oversees both the men’s and women’s teams, praised the federation’s support and lauded the players’ work ethic throughout the extended training camp.
“We’ve worked very hard — morning and evening sessions, tactical drills, conditioning. The players have responded excellently. We started with 35 players and are now down to the final 18 who will make the trip,” Abdullahi said, adding that the early arrival in Egypt would give Nigeria a crucial psychological and tactical edge.
Men’s team captain, Michael John, expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness and determination to make history in Egypt.
“We’re perfectly fine — we’ve trained hard and prepared well,” he said. “We’re just waiting for the whistle to blow. By God’s grace, we won’t disappoint our country or those who worked hard to send us there.”
Similarly, women’s team captain, Alfa Cornelius, echoed optimism about the team’s prospects.
“We’ve been camping for over a month, and the coaches have done a wonderful job. We’ve worked hard to match our opponents in both strength and skill. I’m 100% confident that we’ll perform excellently in Egypt,” she said.
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