The Lagos State Badminton Association has said that 11 countries would feature in the 3rd Lagos International Badminton classics from July 26 to 29 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
The association’s chairman, Francis Orbih, told a news conference on Thursday that the Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has also increased the tournament’s prize money to $20,000.
With the increase, the competition becomes biggest ever to be staged in Lagos and in Africa.
Orbih said: “A total of $20,000 have been set aside as the total prize money for the entire competition.
“The competition will also have Nigeria’s best players compete among quality international ranked players and get a chance to be ranked as well.”
According to Orbih, the international athletes will include Israel’s Misha Zilberman, who is ranked 68 in the world.
Others will come from Sri Lanka, Portugal, Republic of Benin, Egypt, Italy, Cameroon, Uganda, India and Ghana.
Orbih said that Nigeria’s Habib Temitope ranked number 512 in the world will lead the challenge by the national players.
Meanwhile, Deji Tinubu, the Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, has extolled the brilliance and the dedication of the LBSA as one of the best associations working hard.
Tinubu said the association would always get the backing of the sports commission to carry out their objectives because over the years, it had shown commitment in developing youths through badminton.
He said: “It is good to know that the classics are back and I want to agree that it is indeed back for good.
“We at the sports commission are happy about how the LSBA has carried itself and the sport’s fans.”
He also stated that the governor remained an ardent fan of the game.
Tinubu said: “This is why we have once again partnered this edition and also gone ahead to raise the prize money.
“We hope at the end of the tournament that Nigerian youths can gain from the international players in the areas of mentoring and maintaining a good relationship.”
The winner of the Men and Women’s Singles will earn $2,000 each, while the second place winners get $1,500 and the second runners-up $650 each.
The doubles and mixed doubles winners will get $725 each, while the runners-up and the second runners-up take $400 and $175 respectively.
He noted that the prize monies would be given as directed by the International Badminton Federation.
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