Nigerian players talk tough ahead Lagos International Badminton Classics

Despite not been impressive at the just concluded 2014 Li-Ning BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals held in India, Nigerian players listed for the Lagos International Badminton Classics believe they will not be pushovers when the tournament kicks off on Wednesday.
From the highest ranked Nigerian male player in the world, Abah Enejoh to Jimkan Bulus as well as Victor Makanjuola, the foreigners will not have it easy when they visit.
Enejoh, who is seeded 168 in the world, said he was confident that his compatriots would give their best against their foreign counterparts.
“I have been training for this tournament in the last one month in Abuja and I am hopeful that we will not disappoint our people especially that we are hosting. There is not doubt that all the players coming are not pushovers but we will also show that we are at home to retain the titles. I hope to make it far in the singles while I am hoping for the titles in the doubles and mixed doubles,” he said.
Bulus, who was part of the team to India, believes the experience garnered in India would be handy when the competition serves on Wednesday.
“I want to really appreciate the organisers for staging the competition and for us as players this is a good development. Being the second international tournament to be attended this year, I am hopeful that we will do well especially with the quality of players we have. Not minding the fact that we did not really do well in India but we played against the best in the world and we were not disgraced at all. Individually, we are ready and as a team we will not play to the gallery,” Bulus said.
Despite ruling himself out of the championship due to academics commitment, Makanjuola is optimistic that his colleagues would make the country proud. “I know my teammates will do well because we have a very strong team and I am also certain that they will go far in the singles event,” he said.
16 countries have already confirmed for the four-day tournament holding at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park in Lagos.
The participating nations are United States, France Canada, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Botswana, South Africa, Uganda, Ghana, Austria, Italy, Israel, Slovakia, Czech Republic, India and New Zealand.