BFN boss says 6th Lagos International Badminton Classics pacesetter

Posted : 04 September 2023

The President of Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, praised the just-concluded 6th Lagos International Badminton Classics as a groundbreaking event in the history of classics in Africa.

Orbih, in an interview, highlighted the significant achievements of the Badminton Classics.

The 6th Lagos International Badminton Classics finals took place at the Molade Okoya Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2. The tournament was won by 22-year-old Brazilian, Jonathan Matias, while the Women’s Single was won by Ines Lucia Castilo-Salazar of Peru, who defeated Lauren Lam of the USA for the title.

Orbih mentioned that this was the first time a Brazilian had won the contest, following previous victories by an Israeli duo, an Indian national, and a player from Dubai.

Furthermore, he emphasized that it marked the first time an African, particularly a Nigerian, had reached the quarter-finals of an international badminton classic, breaking the long-standing jinx through Africa’s number one player, Anu Opeyori.

Orbih said, “The just-concluded International Badminton Classics shows that the game is growing. This is the first time that an African from Nigeria, Anu Opeyori, got to the quartet final of international badminton classics."

He also noted that the Lagos International Badminton Classics had been designated as a pre-qualifying competition for the Olympics, making it more attractive to foreign players.

“The Lagos International Badminton Classics is now an Olympics qualifier and an international challenge sanctioned by the World Body, so players will get more points coming to play in Nigeria," he added.

Orbih expressed optimism that the competition would continue to expand, attract more countries, and gain sponsorships, despite some challenges faced.

In terms of results, PS Ravikshra and Sankar Prasad Udayakumar of India emerged as winners of the Men’s Double by defeating the duo of Algerian players, Koceila Mammey and Youcef Sabri. Nigeria’s Abduhamid Waheed Musa and Daniel Philip, along with Jose Guevara and Diego Mini of Peru, shared third place.

For the Women’s Double, the Indian duo of Sirran Singhi and Ritika Thaker won against the USA duo of Lauren Lam and Paula Lynn. The Indian duo of Rutaparma Panda and Swetapana Panda, alongside Amy Ackerman and Deidre Laurens, shared third place.

In the Mixed Doubles category, Jose Guevara and Ines Lucia Castilo of Peru emerged as winners against Mina Ivanocic and Petra Polanc of Slovenia. Musa Morroh and Ramatu Yakubu, alongside Dinna Miri and Paula la Torre-Regal of Peru, shared the third position.

BFN boss says 6th Lagos International Badminton Classics pacesetter

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