Sports Groove

   ‎The 8th edition of the Lagos International Badminton Classics came to a thrilling close at the Okoya Thomas Indoor Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, with Indonesia emerging as top performers, sweeping the podium across multiple categories in a final day packed with drama, passion, and top-class shuttle action. ‎ ‎Day four — the grand finale — lived up to the hype as fans and players witnessed an electric atmosphere befitting one of Africa’s biggest badminton showpieces. With $17,500 in prize money at stake, the finals delivered a masterclass of skill, endurance, and national pride. ‎ ‎The day opened with the Mixed Doubles final, where Indonesia’s Prasetyo and Munggaren overwhelmed India’s Ravat and Maneesha in straight sets (21-15, 21-17) to be crowned champions. ‎ ‎In the Men’s Singles, the much-anticipated duel between Japan’s M. Koga and Indonesia’s P. Shujiwo had fans on edge. Koga showed grit but could not match Shujiwo’s relentless firepower. The Indonesian s...

By Mishael Emmanuel with additional reports  ‎ ‎The 8th Lagos International Badminton Classics (LIBC) reached fever pitch as it went past the halfway mark on Day 3, with quarter-finals and semis providing thrilling and refreshing entertainment for sport lovers and friends at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, South-West, Nigeria.   With 20 matches on schedule-and one walkover in the men’s doubles, the tournament delivered world-class rallies, dramatic upsets, and unforgettable spectacles, setting the stage for a blockbuster Final Day on August 30. ‎ ★ THE WALKOVER AND A MARATHON MATCH ‎ ‎The day began with a rare walkover in the men’s doubles, as United Arab Emirates' P. Ravikrishna and S. Romdtiani advanced without lifting a racket after Kazakhstan’s D. Panarin and M. Tajibullayev failed to show. ‎ ‎But it was the mixed doubles clash between Rawat/Maneesha and Sharma/Kanapuran that stole headlines, coincidentally all 4 players a...

   One of the biggest and most prestigious Badminton Internationals on the continent of Africa, the Lagos Classic continues to make headlines, deliver world-class entertainment and attract the right kind of attention both locally and internationally. ‎ As the tournament entered Day 2, both fans and athletes have not relented in praise of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) for its warm hospitality and seamless organization, of the 8th edition of the tournament, that is nearing the business end in thrilling fashion, with over 40 pulsating matches played across four courts.   The happenings on second day of the Lagos International Badminton Classic taking place at the Teslim Balogun Indoor Sports Hall, had a thrilling combination of upsets, drama, and brilliant shot-making. But it also witnessed a major change in the looks of things, as India’s opening day momentum could not make it past a calm night in the City of Aquatic Splendor, with the Asians recordi...

‎    ‎The opening day of the 8th Lagos International Badminton Classics (LIBC) lived up to the hype, as the Teslim Balogun Indoor Sports Hall, Lagos, Southwest, Nigeria came alive with 64 thrilling matchups played across four courts.    The action-packed start had absolutely no missing piece serving up 16 relays of captivating moments, filled with drama, upsets, and flashes of brilliance. Setting the tone for what promises to be an unforgettable 8th edition of the prestigious tournament. ‎ ‎India, who hit the city of Aquatic Splendor, Lagos, with the largest foreign contingent, also emerged as the standout nation on opening day, securing victories in half of the encounters on Wednesday, underlining their strength across multiple categories. ‎ ‎One of the days highlights came rather early and fast as India's L. Kalagotla, dispatched Nigeria’s Rufai in the round of 64 in just 18 minutes. In the men’s singles, however, there was a major upset as the tourname...

By Mishael Emmanuel with additional agency reports  ‎     The 2025 edition of the Lagos International Badminton Classic is set to thrill sport lovers, enthusiasts and fans alike as the tournament which is in its 8th year is set to coat the city of Aquatic Splendor with some the purest vibes in the sporting firmament.    The event which is proudly hosted by the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), in collaboration with the Badminton World Federation (BWF), is scheduled to take place at the Teslim Balogun Indoor Sports Hall, Surulere, Lagos, South-South, Nigeria, from the 27th to 30th of this month. ‎ ‎The Lagos International Badminton Classic, sanctioned by the World Governing Body, the BWF, has grown into one of Africa’s premium badminton competitions, offering athletes from across the globe a vital opportunity to earn ranking points toward World Championships and Olympic Games qualification. ‎ ‎This year’s edition promises to be the most comp...