Sports

Nigeria Stages Mixed Doubles Fightback at 9th Lagos Badminton Classics

Published

3 months ago

August 28, 2026

Team Nigeria bounced back from a disappointing outing in the women’s singles as four Nigerian pairs qualified for the quarter-finals of the mixed doubles at the 9th Lagos International Badminton Classic.

Seven Nigerian players had earlier exited the women’s singles in the Round of 32 at the tournament.

The competition is taking place at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Nigeria Institute of Sports (NIS), National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The tournament, which began on Wednesday, is scheduled to end on Saturday.

Nigeria’s number-one ranked player, Ruth Ebere, was among the casualties in the women’s singles after losing to India’s Surya Tamiri.

Tolulope Oluwadamilola, Kadijat Emiola, Ifeoluwa Ojo, Precious Oluwagbotemi, Peace Jonah and Naomi Tanko also lost their respective Round-of-32 encounters.

However, Nigeria produced a much-improved performance in the mixed doubles, with four pairs advancing to the quarter-finals.

Victor Ikechukwu and Emiola defeated Uganda’s Ray Nsubuga and Tracy Naluwooza 21-18, 21-12.

Saidu Aliyu and Christiana Obasanmi also advanced after receiving a walkover against India’s Sai Pratheek and Srinidi Narayan.

Kayode Abdulateef and Cynthia Feranmi overcame Ghana’s Ofori Acheampong and Racheal Quarcoo 21-15, 23-21 in a keenly contested encounter.

On Court 4, Usman Afolabi and Zainab Alabi fought back from a first-set loss to defeat the United Arab Emirates-Australia combination of S. Munnangi and Stret Yellapragada 14-21, 21-13, 21-17.

Meanwhile, top seeds Dhruv Rawat and Mannesha K received a bye into the next round.

Uganda’s Muzafaru Lubega and Gladys Mabazi defeated Nigeria’s Akinsola and Aminat Ilori to progress.

Ghana’s Lesllie Addo and Jennifer Eduam also secured a quarter-final berth after defeating Nigeria’s Daniel Oyinlola and Samantha Oluwatunmise.

India’s S. Kanapuram and Radhika Sharma completed the quarter-final line-up after defeating Nigeria’s Aliyu Shehu and U. Ukeh.

The mixed doubles results provide Nigeria with an opportunity to recover from the early setbacks suffered in the women’s singles and remain in contention for honours on home soil.

The Lagos International Badminton Classic continues at the National Stadium, with players from several countries competing for honours across the various events.

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Sports

Lagos Women Run: Excitement Builds Ahead of Saturday’s TBS Race

Published

17 hours ago

November 10, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Participants from different walks of life are eagerly looking forward to the Lagos Women Run scheduled for Saturday, November 14, at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.

The participants have expressed excitement about the opportunities and experiences the annual event promises to offer.

Our correspondent reports that, in addition to runners from within Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, some athletes are expected to travel from outside the country to participate in the race.

The organisers are already making preparations for the large number of registered participants, while the possibility of accepting late entries will depend on the timing and other arrangements.

The Coordinator of the Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, said participants should expect an improved experience compared with previous editions.

“We have to continue to get better, as that is the driving force for us as organisers. We will be bigger and better with every edition,” Popoola said.

The 2026 Lagos Women Run will hold on Saturday, November 14, with Tafawa Balewa Square serving as the starting point.

Participants are expected to arrive at the venue by 6:30 a.m. for the event.

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