Nigeria Shines as India, Sri Lanka Dominate Lagos Badminton Classics

Team Nigeria put up impressive show at the third edition of the Lagos International Badminton Classics which ended on Saturday at the Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere.

Although the traditional stronghold of badminton, Sri Lanka and India stole the show emerging as champions in most of the five categories, the emerging Nigerian players proved their mettle.

The pair of Zainab Momoh and Ramatu Yakubu fought gallantly to the final of the Women’s Doubles but lost to the Sri Lankan duo of Thilini Pramodika Hendahewa and Ishadika Kavidi in the final match. It was two straight win of 21-8, 21-5 for the Sri Lankans.

But the score lines speak little about the efforts of Zainab Momoh and Ramatu Yakubu who had faced very stiff oppositions on their way to the final. They beat the Ugandan duo of Bridget Shamim Bangi and Aisha Nakiyemba. The Nigerian pair had to come from behind to eventually win 14-21, 21-18 and 21-15.

Before then, they had beaten another Nigerian team of Asisat Ogunkambi and Felicia Omotola in the quarter-finals.

Nigeria’s Badminton Federation President, Francis Orbih, is undeterred that the Nigerians did not emerge winners.