President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, has reiterated the essence of the Lagos International Badminton Classics, whose seventh edition was concluded at the Molade Okoya Thomas Memorial Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on Saturday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Speaking to our correspondent at the end of the event, which saw Indians winning four of the five gold medals at stake, Orbih said, “The significance of this tournament is immeasurable because it gives the players the opportunity to play against some top-rated players across the world since we cannot take them all out due to paucity of funds.” The tournament is rated highly, and the player that represented the country at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris gained most of his qualification points in this tournament.”
Vietnamese player Le Duc Phat defeated Samarveer of India 2-1 (21-10, 18-21, and 22-20) to claim the men’s singles title, puncturing the Indians’ dominance, with his victory widely celebrated by all who graced the grand finale, having stopped India’s total sweep of all the five gold medals at stake.
The Indians were on the verge of clearing all the available gold medals, having claimed four before the men’s singles final, which drew curtains on the event.
Gupta Aditya (India) and Vietnam’s Nguyen Hai Dang emerged as joint 3rd-place winners.
India’s Lele Shreya beat her compatriot, Selvam Kavipriya, in two straight sets, 21-11, 21-16, to lift the women’s singles trophy, while Adesokan Dorcas Joke of Nigeria and Khan Mysha Omer from the United Arab Emirates were joint 3rd place winners, having been beaten in the semi-finals.
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, was represented by Mrs. Nkana Mbora, in charge of the Lagos liaison office of the Ministry of Sports Development.
Orbih commended the Lagos State government, the host city, and the Badminton Federation of Nigeria’s partners for their support in making the 7th Lagos International Badminton Classics a reality.
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