The day three (3) of the 2017 Lagos International Badminton Classics has left delirious fans and Badminton enthusiasts at the edge of their seats and wanting more as it culminated to be the most exciting day yet for the four day international challenge at the Molade Okoya Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun, Surulere.

Lagos and Nigeria’s remaining hopes in the men’s singles event, Anuoluwapo Opeyori, was eliminated in the quarter finals by arguably, the most impressive player thus far in the competition Chittaboboina.

Like eating a biscuit and faltering in predicting where it cracks first, the third day witnessed by far the highest degree of upset after top seed in the men singles category and former winner, Misha Zilberman, was knocked out by tournament 4^th seeded Egyptian and Anuoluwapo’s nightmare—Chittaboboina in a thrilling three set encounter(21-13, 22-24, 21-14) to reach this year’s final.

Some of the biggest highlights in the women’s category saw Nigeria’s top seed and tournament’s 8^th seed, Dorcas Adesokan knocked out by Mugdha Agrey of India; 21-10, 19-21, 21-12 in a keenly contested three games.

Nigeria’s nearly dashing hopes in the competition bumped to live again in the female doubles and men doubles categories .

In the men doubles, the duo of Anuoluwapo Opeyori and Godwin Olofua ran away in a rather emphatic fashion in two straight sets, thrashing their Egyptian opposition, Abdelhakim and Ahmed Salah 21-10, 21-16 to progress to the finals—an unprecedented feat for the duo.

Also, in the female doubles category, the impressive Nigerian pairing of Zainab Momoh and Ramatu Yakubu defeated Sri Lanka’s Hendahewa and Ishadika Kavidi in a nervy three set encounter—14-21, 21-18, 21-15.

In what was seemingly, one of the best come backs of the championship, the Nigerian women doubles duo fought back into the game in second set after losing the first set and then showing some class to pip their opposition from Srl Lanka; -1-2 in major scores.

The fourth and final day of the biggest Badminton tournament in Africa—the Lagos State International Badminton Classics would see all the action climax with plenty of give aways for keen fans which includes a return ticket to London and Ghana.

Below is a link to day 3 results and pairings/fixtures for day four--final day of tournament.

DAY 2 RESULTS & DAY 3 FIXTURES Draws Lagos International 2017 scheduled DAY 3 RESULTS AND DAY 4 FIRXTURES_NEWDAY 3 RESULTS AND DAY 4 FXITURES

Top seed Misha Zilberman of Israel

The day two of the ongoing Lagos international Badminton Classics has seen the highest amount of upsets thus far in the four day championship which commenced on Wednesday, the 26^th of July at the Molade Okoya indoor sport Hall, Teslim Balogun stadium, Surulere.

Giving applause is Lagos State Badminton Chairman and BFN President-- Francis Orbih

Following day one’s qualifiers which saw one of Lagos top seed Godwin Olofua knocked out by Isaac Minaphee of Taraba; Enejo Abah of Nigeria was put through his paces as he bowed out of the tournament in today’s round of thirty two (32) to Ahmed Salah of Egypt, 21-11, 21-16—two straight sets.

Number one seed in the men’s category, Israeli’s Misha Zilberman, made a rather easy progress over Herbert Ebayo of Uganda in two straight sets and further, beat Ghanaian’s Michael Opoku Baah to progress to the quarter finals in the men’s singles.

While Femi Bioku of the Lagos contingent ended his campaign in the hands of second seed, Maddaloni of Italy, current Ivory Coast champion, Anuoluwapo Opeyori looks to be the only light for the hosting State after making his way to this year’s quarter final rounds following his triumphant displays over Olamide Adebayo and Habeeb Bello in the round of 32’s and 16’s respectively.

The day’s highest number of upsets came from the women category as the championship’s number one seeded female player, Hadia Hosny of Egypt was dumped out by unseeded Vrushali Gummadi of India in a tight three set encounter—15-21, 21-9, 21-13.

Women doubles: Tosin and Dorcas of Nigeria

For total casualties in the female category, the day two set of matches saw four major upsets from top seeds in the category; the likes of second seeded Menna Eltanany of Egypt, Grace Gabriel of Nigeria who is fifth seed, third seeded Egyptian, Doha Hany and Hadia Hosny also of Egypt who is the highest ranked female player in the championship.

There were also plenty of excitement to savour in the men doubles, women doubles and mixed doubles categories respectively with the Nigerian looking to salvage what is potentially, left on the medal stand.

Coach Maria of Lagos speaking to her players

Click this link for a comprehensive record of all the results from day two action in the 2017 Lagos international Badminton Classics.

DAY 2 RESULTS & DAY 3 FIXTURES DAY 2 RESULTS AND DAY 3 FIXTURES

Tolu Olukotun of Lagos, Nigeria making a serve

Following the end of the qualifying rounds of the Lagos international Badminton classics at the Molade Thomas Okoya Hall, Teslim Balogun stadium, watching fans have been treated to some memorable moments in the year’s edition.

With the biggest result of the day seeing Lagos favourite Godwin Olofua, losing to his Nigerian counterpart, Isaac Minafi in his second phase of qualification, it was sure a comprehensive day of unrefined excitement.

The female category also saw a host of Nigerian female contingent make it through the main chart.  

NOTICE: Here are the results after day one round of qualifiers in the 2017 Lagos international Badminton Classics.

Results--Lagos International 2017 updatedhttp://badmintonlagos.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Results-Lagos-International-2017-updated.xlsx

http://badmintonlagos.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Draws-Lagos-International-2017-scheduled.xlsx

The third edition of the Lagos International Badminton Classics has commenced in an exciting fashion at the Molade Okoya Indoor Sport Hall, Teslim Balogun stadium with the Lagos state contingent continuing with their impressive form from the recent two international competitions attended.

Anu Opeyori (L) after defeating Andrew (R) of Ghana

The four day Badminton Championship which has seen participation from eleven (11) countries has a massive figure in participating Nigerian players.

It took only two sets for 2017 Ivory Coast champion, Anuoluwapo Opeyori to make dispatch his Ghanaian opponent, Andrew to make progress in his qualifying match.

Whilst the international players bring on the fire, their Nigerian opponents continue to impressive with a reserved resolute performance.

Anu Opeyori (L) after defeating Andrew (R) of Ghana

Draws Lagos International 2017 scheduled

Francis Orbih: Lagos State Badminton chairman 

Grass-root development is very key to the growth and future of Badminton in Nigeria. We need to take the game back to the schools.

There must be a structured succession arrangement where younger players take over from the senior players as they get past their peak in the game and gradually wind down their active playing carriers! Age grade tournaments must be an integral part of our programmes and calendar.

That is the only way we can effectively prepare our younger players for the future to take over from today's champions.

We must take deliberate steps and make clear/defined plans to catch them young. Here lies the future of the game in Nigeria.

It will be one of my major focus if voted as President of the Badminton federation of Nigeria, BFN.
Francis Orbih Esq.

Francis Orbih: BFN Presidential candidate

Distinguished members of the Badminton family, top of the day to you.

Let me start by congratulating Justice Danlami Senchi on his election as President of the Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA). By virtue of his new position, he has become Nigeria's No 1 Badminton Ambassador and the least we can do is to wish him a successful tenure.

I also congratulate Mr. Abel Ocholi and Mr. Bolaji Agarawu on their election as the Players Representative and Technical Representative respectively on the BFN board. I also want to congratulate all those who, on Friday, participated in the election process to fill up the above two positions on the board - their victory is everyone's victory and, most importantly, it is a great victory for Badminton in Nigeria.

Now to the main crux of my message.It is a well known fact that the election season is well and truly upon us and, as we all know very well, elections are usually an impassioned affair, with diverse interests rightly vying for the upper hand. It is not, therefore, amiss that, every now and then, passions get inflamed and interests clash. However, so long as the sole goal of everyone is anchored on selfless service and the growth of Badminton in our country, there would be no cause for acrimony and bad blood before, during and after the elections.

A little more straight to the point. As we approach the elections of June 13, 2017, I hereby use this forum to appeal to all stakeholders of the game of Badminton in Nigeria that we all step back, reflect on where we are all coming from and where we all want to be when it comes to the game of Badminton in Nigeria.

I am sure that majority of us will agree that Badminton in Nigeria today is not where it ought to be as we have not been able to attain our full potential in the game generally. In my reflection and assessment of the real issues that have bedevilled the game over the years, the issue of elections appear to be the perpetual culprit.

Over the years, virtually all election cycles in the game have been intertwined very divisive and acrimonious campaigns which, more often than not, always left the Badminton family bitterly divided along agenda and interest lines. Over the years, this has made it difficult for the Badminton family to recover and come together as one family after every election, a situation where we always ended up with victors and the vanquished are never able to reintegrate and become an active part of the family after the elections.

Here is my message: I am appealing to the rank and file of the Badminton family that we put the acrimony, disagreements and disharmony of the immediate and historical past behind us. Let us put the strife and acrimony behind us. Let us hit the reset button and start afresh on a clean slate.

Let us eschew bitterness and personality attacks in our campaigns focusing instead, solely, on the real issues (policies and programs). It is just stating the obvious that campaigns and elections laced with venom, bitterness, hatred and acrimony will only lead to enmity and divisions once the process of elections are over.

While I am quite aware that not everyone will necessarily support my aspiration and/or vote for me in the coming elections, as in any other election where there are multiple candidates, I plead nevertheless that we treat one another with utmost respect because we are all members of the same family, with eyes on the same goal. In this way, it will not be the case that enmity between contestants on the one hand and supporters of various contestants, on the other hand, become enemies of one another.

I humbly plead that all members proceed to freely project and sell candidates of their choice to the electorate without attacking other candidates or dwelling on negativity. As mentioned earlier, let us keep this clean for the sake of the game we all love so much.

Traversing the nooks and crannies of our dear country, Nigeria, in the course of my campaigns, I have come across some of the friendliest and most wonderful people in the badminton family.

Imagine the abundant opportunities we have available to us to lift the game in Nigeria beyond our wildest comprehension if only we can all come together as one, join hands and, in unison, commit to making positive contributions towards the growth and development of the game in Nigeria. Indeed, the vistas of opportunities that abound are limitless.

I am campaigning to be the President of a united Badminton family and not a divided house and, to this extent, I request that we all leave behind those things that have divided us over the years and focus on the more glorious future ahead of us - the positive things that will foster unity among us.

Irrespective of whether you support my aspiration or not if, by the grace of God, I become the next President of BFN, I am determined to be the President of Badminton in Nigeria and not President of my supporters or those who voted for me alone. There is so much work to be done that we need all hands on deck, as we just cannot afford to leave anyone out. We must from now begin to lay the foundation for a strong and united Badminton family by watching the things we say and do to others in the course of this campaign. Let’s keep it civil and matured so that whoever wins at the end of the day, we will all be able to gather and congratulate one another, tap each other on the back, roll up our sleeves and face the enormous task of reinventing the game of our dreams in Nigeria.

As I close this piece, let me remind us of the words on marble uttered by Priscilla Shirer "Unity does not mean sameness. It means oneness of purpose". Therein lies my charge to this great Badminton family. The journey starts today and the slogan is #BadmintonCampaignsWithoutBitterness.

God bless the noble game of Badminton and its people! God bless Nigeria!

CREDIT: Francis Orbih Esq.

Nigeria's Jinkam Bulus and Luka Wraber...

Have you ever wondered why all top players play such sensational badminton like they do?

A dejected player after losing point...

Have you ever wondered why you didn’t get that next point in a match?

China's Chen Long makes a serve...

Well, lucky you. It all starts with a good service!

LEARN HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR SERVING SKILLS WITH THIS VIDEO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bc5gCPsKqA&feature=youtu.be

• FATSTEST RACKET SPORT IN THE WORLD

Badminton is officially the world’s fastest racqet sport, which requires quick reflexes and superb conditioning. The shuttle when smashed around the court travels at speed in excess of 300 km/hour.

• THE ASIAN DOMINATION OF THE SPORT

Since its inclusion in the Olympics in 1992, Asian players have won a staggering 93 out of the 103 Olympic medals.

The most successful badminton countries in the world are China and Indonesia, who have won 70% of all BWF events between them.

The Thomas Cup, the men's world team championships, has been won by only three countries since it began in 1948 - Malaysia, Indonesia and China.

The only time the Uber Cup, the women's world team championships, was won outside Asia was by the USA in 1957, 1960 and 1963; the other holders are China, Indonesia, Japan and more recently South Korea.

• BADMINTON WAS INITIALLY PLAYED WITH THE PLAYERS’ FEET

A game called Ti Zian Ji was played by the Chinese originally, which is the forerunner of badminton. In this sport, the players used their feet instead of racquets to hit the shuttlecock! The game is still played in China!

The beautiful sport was formerly played with the feet...

• BADMINTON AMONG WORLD'S MOST POPULAR SPORTS

It has been claimed that badminton is the second most-popular participation sport in the world, only behind football.

When badminton was first included in the Olympics in 1992, 1.1 billion people watched the badminton competition on television.

• THE STRINGS OF BADMINTON RACKETS ARE MADE FROM THE STOMACH LINING OF CATS

While over the years, most of the players have started using synthetic strings, some players still use guts made from the dried stomach lining of animals like cats or cows.

Final Draws For Men and Women Singles is now Available. Download Here.

Lagos International Classics 2014 - Pictures from day 3

Lagos International Classics 2014 - Pictures from day 1 & 2