Nigeria suffered a disappointing start at the ninth Lagos International Badminton Classic, with seven players eliminated from the women’s singles.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament is taking place at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Nigeria Institute of Sports, Lagos.
The competition, which began on Wednesday, is scheduled to end on Saturday at the National Stadium, Surulere.
Nigeria’s number-one ranked player, Ruth Ebere, opened proceedings but lost 21-15, 21-10 to India’s Surya Tamiri.
Tamiri won the women’s singles title at the 87th edition of the competition in Vijayawada, India.
Tolulope Oluwadamilola also exited after losing 21-6, 21-4 to Czech Republic’s third seed, Petra Maixnerovau.
Kadijat Emiola suffered a 21-8, 21-11 defeat against eighth-seeded Czech Republic player Van Coppenolle.
Ifeoluwa Ojo was beaten 21-5, 21-10 by fourth seed Prakriti Bharath, while Precious Oluwagbotemi lost 21-6, 21-4 to India’s M. Mareddy.
Peace Jonah also departed after Saudi Arabia’s Khadijah Kawthar defeated her 21-6, 21-10 in their Round-of-32 encounter.
Nigeria’s Naomi Tanko completed the difficult day for the hosts, losing 21-10, 21-10 to second seed Disha Gupta.
Ebere said the gulf between Nigerian players and established international competitors remained difficult to bridge.
‘The game has been encouraging, probably with the fact that there have been so many tense and tough moments,’ she said (NAN).