Lusaka, Zambia: Revival Sports Club has delivered an exceptional return to the international badminton stage, claiming Mixed Doubles gold and Women’s Doubles silver at the Zambia International 2025, their first BWF-sanctioned tournament appearance since the Maldives was placed under suspension.
The tournament marks the opening leg of Revival’s ambitious three-nation African tour and signifies the Maldives’ re-entry into world badminton, made possible after the Badminton World Federation (BWF) granted a special temporary exemption allowing Maldivian players to compete again after nearly a year’s absence.
Revival’s High Performance squad, Nibal Ahmed, Zayan Zaki, Hassan Zayan Mohamed, Haisham Ibrahim Ali, Fathimath Nabaha (Naba) and Aminath Nabeeha (Naby), competed across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, putting forward resilient and disciplined performances throughout the event.
Though singles results did not progress past the early rounds, the team showed strong competitive form. Haisham and Hassan exited in the qualifying stages against India’s Sree Yashwanth A.S Sathish Kumar, while Nibal and Zayan both fell in hard-fought Round of 32 matches. In the women’s singles draw, Naby pushed South Africa’s Johanita Scholtz to three games, and Naba impressed with a commanding opening victory before narrowly losing to Egypt’s second seed, Nour Ahmed Youssri, in the Round of 16.
Revival’s true resurgence emerged in the doubles discipline. In men’s doubles, Hassan and Haisham were edged out in a dramatic three-game contest against Zimbabwe’s Paul Kopolo and Thabani Mathe, while Nibal and Zayan reached the Round of 16 before being stopped by India’s Anuj Kale and Ian Lopes. Yet it was in the mixed and women’s doubles categories where Revival stamped their authority.
In the Mixed Doubles final, Zayan Zaki and Naba delivered a poised and strategic performance to defeat Egypt’s fourth-seeded pair Ezzat Kareem Mahmoud and Nour Ahmed Youssri 21–18, 22–20. The victory marks the duo’s third BWF final triumph, following titles and podium finishes at the 2019 Pakistan International and the 2024 Botswana International, further solidifying their reputation on the global stage.
In the Women’s Doubles final, sisters Naba and Naby reinforced their status as one of the Maldives’ most successful badminton partnerships. Despite falling 16–21, 14–21 to South Africa’s Amy Ackerman and Johanita Scholtz, they secured an impressive silver medal. This achievement marks their 13th international medal together, four gold, four silver, and five bronze, and their fourth BWF final, joining appearances in Pakistan (2019), Botswana (2023), and Zambia (2024).
With these medal-winning results, Revival Sports continues to raise the bar for Maldivian badminton. The club’s international tally in BWF-sanctioned events now includes two mixed doubles golds, two women’s doubles golds, and one women’s singles gold, underscoring its role as the driving force behind the nation’s badminton renaissance.
Revival’s strong opening in Zambia, achieved despite the setbacks of lost ranking points and limited preparation time, sends a clear message as they head to Botswana and South Africa for the remainder of their African tour: Maldivian badminton has returned with strength, purpose, and renewed ambition.
