Lagos Badminton Classics: India Bags Three Titles As UAE, Thailand Claim One Each

Lagos Badminton Classics: India Bags Three Titles As UAE, Thailand Claim One Each

...Talasila, Panda sisters and Ramat lead Indian charge as UAE, Thailand take remaining crowns

By Niyi Busari 

Indian shuttlers dominated the 9th Lagos International Badminton Classics, claiming three of the five titles at stake as the tournament ended in Lagos, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Tankara Talasila led the Indian charge, defeating compatriot and training partner Hmar Laithazuala in a keenly contested men’s singles final to secure the gold medal.

India continued its impressive run in the women’s doubles, where sisters Rutaparna and Swetaparna Panda defeated fellow Indians Kwripriya Selvam and Simpran Singhi in an all-Indian final.

The third Indian title came in the mixed doubles, with Dhuv Ramat and Katie Maneesha overcoming compatriots Sathwik Kanapuram and Radhike Sharma to complete the country’s dominant showing.

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

Nineteen-year-old UAE player Prakriti Bharath defeated Czechia’s Petra Maixnerova to win the women’s singles title.

In the men’s doubles, Thailand’s Thanawin Madee and Madee Pongsakom defeated UAE pair Bharath Latheesh and Dev Vishnu to take the top prize.

Badminton Federation of Nigeria board member Lekan Abdul praised the Lagos State Government and the federation for sustaining the international tournament over the years.

Abdul noted that Lagos State has supported the competition since its inaugural edition and expressed optimism that the 10th edition would be even bigger.

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

He also commended the athletes, sponsors and organisers for their contributions to the success of the tournament.

According to him, sponsors including AVIS, Rapide Logistics, Noble Serve Finance Ltd. and Sovereign Trust Insurance responded positively despite being approached only 48 hours before the competition.

Abdul also expressed appreciation to the National Institute for Sports for hosting the event and praised members of the BFN family for their efforts in ensuring the tournament went ahead.

For Talasila, the men’s singles victory was particularly significant as it marked his first appearance and title in Africa.

The Indian admitted that the final presented a unique challenge because he was facing Laithazuala, a close friend and training partner who was familiar with his game.

“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,” Talasila 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.”

The tournament attracted players from several countries and provided another opportunity for international badminton competition on Nigerian soil.

Among the dignitaries present at the finals were the Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu; the commission’s Director of Competition, Nunayon Travih; and members of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria board.

With the 9th edition successfully concluded, attention now turns to next year’s milestone 10th edition, with organisers expected to build on the tournament’s growing international profile.