International Badminton Classics Has Added Values To Lagos Sports – Tandoh

The hosting of international sports classics since 2013 has impacted positively to the development of athletes and sports in general in Lagos State.

Executive Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr Kweku Adedayo Tandoh disclosed this while speaking on the first day of hostilities in this year’s Lagos International Badminton Classics. He said that staging of international classics in Badminton, Table Tennis, Swimming, Taekwondo and Squash since the first edition and the good support those classics have been receiving since Governor Akinwunmi Ambode assumed office in 2015 has added unprecedented values to sports in Lagos.

The Lagos International Badminton Classics is currently underway at Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere with 24 countries of the world in attendance.

Tandoh said staging international tournaments in Lagos has really exposed the state athletes to international arena on the home soil. He also noted that rubbing shoulders and competing alongside highly ranked foreign players during the classics have no doubt boosted their morale and take away stage fright usually associated with inexperienced players.

“I can tell you that the multipler effects and the gains we are getting from hosting a good number of international classics in Lagos State in the past years are unprecedented. We are seen these values in the performance of our players and they are improving in their careers as well.

“Playing alongside highly ranked players during the classics has really boosted their physique and they have been able to overcome the usual stage fright associated with inexperienced players. Some of our players have been going out to play other classics outside Nigeria in countries such as Ghana and Ivory Coast, and they have been coming back with good results.

“The Badminton Classics has continued to improved. This year, we are having a good number of highly ranked foreign players because of the increased in the prize money from $20,000 to $25,000. This has made this year’s competition to be competitive. The classics has equally gained the recognition of badminton world body as Lagos International Badminton Classics is now listed in their calendar where players around the world look forward to every year.

“I want to thank His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for having the great vision of taking sports to the next level in the state and make Lagos a sports hub in Africa. This year’s competition is going to be memorable in terms of participation and organisations. All hands are on deck to deliver a tournament best ever, ” Tandoh said.