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]
| Sport | Badminton |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | Lagos State Badminton Association |
| Country | Nigeria |
Tournament
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 |
 Kristína Gavnholt |
Manu Attri B. Sumeeth Reddy |
Pradnya Gadre N. Sikki Reddy |
 Robert Mateusiak Nadieżda Zięba |
| 2017 | Rahul Yadav Chittaboina |
 Thilini Hendahewa |
Manu Attri B. Sumeeth Reddy |
Thilini Hendahewa Kavidi Sirimannage |
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 |
| 2020 | Cancelled[note 1] | ||||
| 2021 | Cancelled[note 2] | ||||
| 2022 | Cancelled[note 3] | ||||
| 2023[13] |  Jonathan Matias |
 Inés Castillo |
P.S Ravikrishna Sankar Prasad Udayakumar |
Simran Singhi Ritika Thaker |
José Guevara Inés Castillo |
- This tournament, originally to be played from 1 to 4 July, was later cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.
- This tournament, originally to be played from 3 to 6 November, was later cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.
- This tournament, originally to be played from 31 August to 6 September, was later cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.
Performances by nation
- As of the 2023 edition
| Pos | Nation | MS | WS | MD | WD | XD | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India |
2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 12 |
| 2 | Israel |
2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 3 | Nigeria |
0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Peru |
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
| Sri Lanka |
0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| 5 | Brazil |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Czech Republic |
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Germany |
0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Italy |
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Poland |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| South Africa |
0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Turkey |
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Vietnam |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Total | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 30 | |
References
- "28 Countries Set to Battle for N30 Million at the Lagos Badminton Classics". Connectnigeria.com. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- "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.
- "28 Countries For Lagos Badminton Classics". P.M. News. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- "Why Lagos Organised Badminton International Classics –Tinubu". Thisday. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- "Lagos International Badminton Classics Serves of with 15 Countries Participating". Sundiata Post. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- "Lagos International Badminton Classics Serves of with 15 Countries ParticipatingLagos International – Nigeria dominates in doubles event". Badmintonplanet.com. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- "Lagos International Badminton Classics attracts 28 countries". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- "Ambode Reiterates Commitment to Grassroot Sports Development". Lagos State Governor. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- "Team Nigeria disappoints at 2nd Lagos International Badminton Classics". Nigerian Observer. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- "Nigeria, 10 Others Set for Lagos International Badminton Classics". Thisday. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- "Lagos Hosts International Badminton Classics". Lagos State Governor. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- "Lagos International Badminton Classics: Nigeria's Top Players Happy With Achievements". The Eagle Online. 22 July 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
- Lagos International Classics 2023 winners