Lagos International

The Lagos International also known as Lagos International Badminton Classics is an annual open international badminton tournament held in Lagos, Nigeria. This tournament established since 2014, organized by the Lagos State Badminton Association (LSBA) and Badminton Federation of Nigeria.[1] The tournament sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA), and has grade as BWF International Challenge level with the total prize money $15,000. The classics is expected to help Nigerian players to improve their world ranking as well as play against some of the top rated players in the world, and it is also an opportunity to showcase the positive side of Lagos and Nigeria.[2][3] It is also an intervention programme of the Lagos State Government, it is a series of international open sporting events geared towards attracting the best continental and global sports talents to the shores of the region.[3] The Lagos State Government believes that the tournament is part of series of international sports events that will bring world stars to the state.[4]

Lagos International
SportBadminton
Founded2014
FounderLagos State Badminton Association
CountryNigeria

The first tournament was held at Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park, in Yaba, Lagos, and categorized as BWF International Challenge with the total prize money $15.000.[2][5] A total 162 athletes from 15 countries drawn at the competition.[5] The winners of the first edition were Misha Zilberman of Israel and Jeanine Cicognini of Italy in the men's and women's singles; Andries Malan and Willem Viljoen of South Africa in the men's doubles; then the host country pairs won the women's and mixed doubles, represented by Dorcas Ajoke Adesokan/Maria Braimoh, and Enejoh Abah/Tosin Damilola Atolagbe.[6]

The second edition was held from 15 to 18 July 2015, attracted at least 28 countries, and the host country represented by 80 players.[7] The Vice-President of Nigeria Badminton Federation who also doubles as Chairman LSBA, Francis Orbih, said that this tournament is an initiative borne out of the need to create an international competition for home grown talents who don’t participate in international tournaments.[3] Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, gave the commitment at the finals and closing ceremony will continue to sponsor this tournament.[8] At the end of the tournament, India clinched three title in the men's singles, men's and women's doubles, Czech Republic won the women's singles, and Poland in the mixed doubles.[9]

In 2016, This tournament failed to hold due to the economic recession facing the country.[10] The third edition then held between 25 and 29 July 2017, at the Molada Okoya Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.[11] The prize money has increased to $20,000, and attracted 75 men's and 36 women's athletes.[10]

Previous winners
Year Men's singles Women's singles Men's doubles Women's doubles Mixed doubles
2014 Misha Zilberman Jeanine Cicognini Andries Malan
Willem Viljoen		 Dorcas Ajoke Adesokan
Maria Braimoh		 Enejoh Abah
Tosin Damilola Atolagbe
2015 B. Sai Praneeth Kristina Gavnholt Manu Attri
B. Sumeeth Reddy		 Pradnya Gadre
N. Sikki Reddy		 Robert Mateusiak
Nadiezda Zieba
2017 Rahul Yadav Chittaboina Thilini Pramodika Hendahewa Manu Attri
B. Sumeeth Reddy		 Thilini Pramodika Hendahewa
Kavidi Ishadika		 Misha Zilberman
Svetlana Zilberman
2018[12] Misha Zilberman Ksenia Polikarpova Manu Attri
B. Sumeeth Reddy		 Riya Mookerjee
Kuhoo Garg		 Manu Attri
K. Maneesha
2019 Nguyễn Tiến Minh Neslihan Yiğit Jones Ralfy Jansen
Peter Käsbauer		 Pooja Dandu
Sanjana Santosh		 Arjun M.R.
K. Maneesha

Performances by nation
Pos Nation MS WS MD WD XD Total
1 India 2033210
2 Israel 210014
3 Nigeria 000112
 Sri Lanka 010102
5 Czech Republic 010001
 Germany 001001
 Italy 010001
 Poland 000011
 South Africa 001001
 Turkey 010001
 Vietnam 100001
Total 5 5 5 5 5 25

References
  1. "28 Countries Set to Battle for N30 Million at the Lagos Badminton Classics". Connectnigeria.com. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  2. "Israel, South Africa are top seeds, as Lagos International Badminton Classics serves off". The Niche. Archived from the original on 16 October 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  3. "28 Countries For Lagos Badminton Classics". P.M. News. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  4. "Why Lagos Organised Badminton International Classics –Tinubu". Thisday. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  5. "Lagos International Badminton Classics Serves of with 15 Countries Participating". Sundiata Post. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  6. "Lagos International Badminton Classics Serves of with 15 Countries ParticipatingLagos International – Nigeria dominates in doubles event". Badmintonplanet.com. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  7. "Lagos International Badminton Classics attracts 28 countries". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  8. "Ambode Reiterates Commitment to Grassroot Sports Development". Lagos State Governor. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  9. "Team Nigeria disappoints at 2nd Lagos International Badminton Classics". Nigerian Observer. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  10. "Nigeria, 10 Others Set for Lagos International Badminton Classics". Thisday. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  11. "Lagos Hosts International Badminton Classics". Lagos State Governor. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  12. "Lagos International Badminton Classics: Nigeria's Top Players Happy With Achievements". The Eagle Online. 22 July 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
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