NO fewer than 43 Nigerian players and 108 others from almost 40 countries are expected to compete for honours at the sixth edition of the Lagos International Badminton Classics taking place at the Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, from August 30 to September 2, the organisers have revealed.
So far, 37 countries have confirmed participation in the international tournament, including Algeria, Azerbaijan, Australia, Austria, Benin Republic, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada and Czech Republic.
According to a statement issued by Badminton Federation of Nigeria president Francis Orbih today, other countries include England, Equatorial Guinea, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Mauritius and Norway.
Host Nigeria, Peru, Sri Lanka, Spain, South Africa, Slovakia, Slovenia, Togo, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Uganda, USA and Zambia will also be participating in the tournament.
Ambassadors of different countries whose players will be participating are expected to be in attendance together with the governors of Kebbi, Ekiti and Ebonyi states, the organisers added.
The Lagos Classics is the highest-profile Badminton World Federation-sanctioned championship to be hosted by any African country.
The rating of the Classics also affords the participants, including Nigerian players, the opportunity to garner points towards qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics as well as improve their BWF W
world rankings.
Orbih expressed happiness that the competition is returning after being off the calendar for three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and its consequences.
“We are glad the biggest and flagship event in the African badminton circuit is back,” the BFN boss said.
Orbih thanked the Lagos State Government, especially Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for sustaining support and sponsorship of the event, and called on other states to emulate the gesture.
PHOTO: Badminton Federation of Nigeria president Francis Orbih.
