Opeyori, Adesokan win Third National Badminton Classics

Tejuosho inducted into Hall of Fame
Africa’s number one badminton star, Anuoluwapo Opeyori from Lagos State, at the weekend, defeated Rivers State’s Victor Ikechukwu in two sets to one, to win the third Ikoyi Club National Badminton Classics.

In the Classics held at the Ikoyi Club 1938 (Badminton Section), Opeyori beat Ikechukwu 21-12, 16-21, 21-10 in a thrilling men’s singles final watched by such dignitaries as Oba Adedapo Tejuoso and Gen. Ike Nwachukwu (rtd), among others.

In the women’s singles final, Ogun State’s Dorcas Adesokan defeated Sofiat Obanisola 2-0 (23-21, 21-18) to take the tile, while Habeeb Bello (Oyo) and Aluyu Shehu (Niger state) emerged as men’s joint third place winners, with Deborah Ukeh and dethroned champion, Ruth Ebere (both from Edo State), were joint third place winners.

For their efforts, Opeyori and Adesokan got N500, 000 each, second-placed Ikechukwu and Obanisola went home with N300,000, while each of the joint third place winners received N150,000.

All the semifinalists were given N100,000 each, while every participant receivedN50,000 as appearance fee in the competition that featured 32 players.

Meanwhile, history was made at the end of the Classics as the Nigerian Badminton Federation former chairman, Oba Tejuoso, was inducted into the Nigerian Badminton Hall of Fame.

Oba Tejuoso’ induction, according to Badminton Federation President, Francis Orbih, was in recognition of his service to the sport. Orbih said Oba Tejuoso was one of the builders of modern Nigeria’s badminton, adding that his Teju Foam Open for many helped to discover, nurture and promote some of the country’s legends in the sport.