One hundred and eight foreign players from over 35 countries and 43 Nigerians are expected to compete for honours as the 6th Lagos International Badminton Classics, takes place at the Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, from August 30 to September 2, 2023.
No Fewer than 37 countries have so far confirmed their participation in the tournament. These include Algeria, Azerbaijan, Australia, Austria, the Republic of Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada and the Czech Republic.
The President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih disclosed that the other participating countries expecting are England, Equatorial Guinea, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Mauritius and Norway.
Others are Nigeria, Peru, Sri Lanka, Spain, South Africa, Slovakia, Slovenia, Togo, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Uganda, United States and Zambia.
Ambassadors from various countries are expected, as well as the badminton-loving governors of the states of Kebbi, Ekiti and Ebonyi, who will add glamour to the classics.
Sports Market International reports that the Lagos Classics has been described several times as the highest category of world badminton governing body-sanctioned championships that can be held in any African country.
The Classics Ranking also offers participants, including Nigerian players, the opportunity to earn the points needed to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and improve their BWF World Ranking.
Orbih expressed his delight at the great return of the competition after three years off the calendar due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact.
“We are delighted to have the biggest flagship event on the African badminton scene back,” he said.
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Orbih thanked the Lagos State Government, particularly Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for Lagos State’s support and sponsorship of the event and called on other states to follow suit.
