2 Bronze medals for Ghana - At Lagos Badminton
Ghana’s representatives at the third Lagos International Badminton Championship picked two bronze medals at the competition which saw India and Sri Lanka claim the male and female individual events.
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Emmanuel Yaw Donkor and Stella Koteikai Amassah won Ghana’s medals in the men’s single and mixed doubles with hosts, Nigeria, winning five medals — two silver and three bronze.
India's Rahul Yadav Chittaboina and Thilini Pramodika Hendahewa of Sri Lanka emerged winners of the men and women's singles events respectively at the 3rd Lagos International Badminton Championship held last Saturday at the Teslim Balogun Sports Complex in Lagos, Nigeria.
While Chittaboina, 19, defeated fellow Indian Karan Rajan Rajarajan 21-15, 21-13 to win the highest prize of the competition, 21-year-old Hendahewa triumphed 21-13, 21-19 over Mugdha Agrey of India.
"I am not surprised that I won this game because I played it with a different mentality: A winning mentality and that gave me confidence to win. I wish to thank my parents and my coaches for helping me come this far", said Chittaboina in an interview.
For their reward, both Chittaboina and Hendahewa each received $2,200 as cash prize, a trophy and a medal at the final games which was watched by many dignitaries including Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, governor of Lagos State, Mr Gbolahan Adewunmi, Director General of Sports in Lagos, Barrister Francis Orbih, president of Badminton Federation of Nigeria, and Mr Evans Yeboah, president of the Badminton Association of Ghana.
In the women's doubles division, Sri Lanka's Thilini Hendahewa combined forces with Ishadika Kavidi to finish tops while Manu Attri together with Reddy Sumeeth won the men's version for India.
Mother and son, Svetlana Zilberman and Misha Zilberman, who represented Israel in the mixed doubles category received $1,500 as cash prize, a trophy and medals for finishing tops.
All winners in the various categories received trophies, cash prizes and medals with runners-up taking home cash prizes and medals.