India Dominates Lagos Badminton Classic, Claims 3 Golds

Indian players dominated the 9th Lagos International Badminton Classics, claiming three of the five titles at the international tournament in Lagos.

Tankara Talasila led India’s charge by winning the men’s singles title after defeating compatriot and training partner Hmar Laithazuala in a keenly contested final.

India also secured the women’s doubles crown, with sisters Rutaparna Panda and Swetaparna Panda overcoming compatriots Kwripriya Selvam and Simpran Singhi to take the gold medal.

In the mixed doubles, India’s Dhuv Ramat and Katie Maneesha defeated compatriots Sathwik Kanapuram and Radhike Sharma to complete another all-Indian final.

The two remaining titles went to players representing the United Arab Emirates and Thailand.

Nineteen-year-old Prakriti Bharath of the UAE won the women’s singles title after defeating Petra Maixnerova of Czechia, while Thailand’s Thanawin Madee and Madee Pongsakom claimed the men’s doubles crown with victory over UAE pair Bharath Latheesh and Dev Vishnu.

Speaking after the tournament, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) board member Lekan Abdul commended the Lagos State Government and the federation for successfully staging the championship.

Abdul said Lagos State had been the tournament’s major sponsor since its inaugural edition and expressed optimism that the partnership would continue into the 10th edition next year.

“Today, we are not just celebrating the finals but excellence, sportsmanship and profound sports organisation,” Abdul said.

He also praised the participating athletes, sponsors and the National Institute for Sports (NIS), which hosted the competition.

Abdul acknowledged the support of AVIS, Rapide Logistics, Noble Serve Finance Ltd and Sovereign Trust Insurance, noting that their backing came despite the organisers having only 48 hours to approach some of the sponsors.

Talasila described his men’s singles final against Laithazuala as particularly challenging because of their familiarity as friends and training partners.

“I feel so happy winning this competition, being my first time in Africa and Nigeria, but the win came at a difficult moment, playing against a friend and training partner,” he said.

“I played against a good friend who knows the pattern of my playing, which made it difficult for me, but in the end, Nigeria is special.”

Among the dignitaries present were Lagos State Sports Commission Director-General Lekan Fatodu, Director of Competition Nunayon Travih and members of the BFN board.