By OLANREWAJU AKOJEDE

Indian an players dominated the podium at the 9th Lagos International Badminton Classics, winning three of the five available titles at the tournament.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that India’s Tankara Talasila won the men’s singles title after defeating compatriot and training partner, Hmar Laithazuala, in a keenly contested final.

Indian players also emerged victorious in the women’s doubles, with the Panda sisters, Rutaparna and Swetaparna, defeating compatriots Kwripriya Selvam and Simpran Singhi in the final.

In the mixed doubles, India’s Dhuv Ramat and Katie Maneesha defeated compatriots Sathwik Kanapuram and Radhike Sharma to claim the gold medal.

In the women’s singles, 19-year-old Prakriti Bharath of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) defeated Petra Maixnerova of Czechia to win the title.

In the men’s doubles, Thailand’s Thanawin Madee and Madee Pongsakom defeated UAE’s Bharath Latheesh and Dev Vishnu to claim the gold medal.

Speaking at the end of the competition, Lekan Abdul, a board member of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), commended the federation for a successfully hosting the international tournament.

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

“We celebrate all the athletes who participated in this epic tournament.They all competed well, the winners and the rest.

“We also celebrate our sponsors, GIG Logistics, Rapid Logistics, Noble Serve Finance Ltd. And Sovereign Trust Insurance, whom we contacted just 48 hours ago and they responded well.

“Initially, it was almost impossible for us to host this tournament, but we thank the BFN family for their efforts. Everybody puts in their best.

“We also thank our host, the National Institute for Sports, for being a wonderful host,” he said.

Talasila, the men’s singles winner, told NAN that the final against his friend and training partner was a difficult encounter.

“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.

“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,” he said.

NAN reports that dignitaries at the event included the Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Lekan Fatodu; Director of Competition, LSSC, Nunayon Travih; and other BFN board members, among others. (NAN)

•India’s Rutaparna and Swetaparna Panda have booked their place in the women’s doubles final of the 9th Lagos International Badminton Classics