Twenty-eight countries have sent in their entries for the 2nd Lagos International Badminton Classics to be hosted by Nigeria, according to a report by ThisDay Newspaper.
The championship which is in its second edition will take place in Lagos from July 15 to 18, 2015 at the Mobolaji Johnson Indoor Sports Hall, Rowe Park, Lagos.
Last year’s maiden edition had 16 countries participating in the four-day tournament, while the prize money was $10,000 (N20 million). This year’s prize money has risen to $15,000 (N30 million).
Some of the countries expected at the competition are England, Germany, Belgium, Ireland, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Czech Republic, Mauritius, India, Italy, United States of America, Israel, South Africa, France, Portugal, Egypt, Austria, Canada, Slovakia, Hungary, Benin, Ghana, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Uganda, Zambia, and host, Nigeria.
The Vice-President of Nigeria Badminton Federation who also doubles as Chairman, Lagos State Badminton Association (LSBA), Francis Orbih, revealed that the Lagos International Classics (LIBC) is an initiative borne out of the need to create an international competition for home grown talents who don’t participate in international tournaments.
According to him, “the classics is a world-class tournament and players are expected to use it to improve on their world rankings and prepare for the All Africa Games coming up later in the year.
“The championship is open to all players, male and female, and the players will be representing themselves and not their countries,” Orbih said.