Abia Set To Host 5th National Open Para Badminton Championship, Visiting Inspector Okays Facilities Fit For International Stage

The 5^th Edition of the Para Badminton Championship is set to kick off in Abia State on July 14 to run through July 18, 2025.

According to the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr Nwaobilor Ananaba during a press conference on Sunday, he said the sports competition is meant for athletes with physical challenges and will prepare the athletes for the Abia first International Badminton Championship and also the All African Para Badminton Championship.

Mr Ananaba added that the tournament is also to test the equipment already made available by Abia state governor, Alex Otti, on his policy to make Abia state a sporting destination. He also said the competition will test the fitness and readiness of athletes and the certification by the supervising body of para badminton.The event will feature 120 participants from 36 states of Nigeria.

Fadil Sayeed, the representative of the Badminton Federation of Africa who is on inspection tour of facilities and readiness for Nigeria to host the international badminton completion in Nigeria, in his speech expressed satisfaction on Abia state’s readiness to host the competition.

In his words: ‘‘I have to admit that it is looking to be very successful, this test event is very important for us and hence my been here to assess whether Nigeria is well on the roots preparing for the event.

‘‘Every international competition comes with its own set of rules and regulations that we need to comply with, so what we see here actually for the National Championships is in a very high level’’.

He praised the organising committee for their hard work which he described as very satisfying as his report on the inspection of the facilities are handy to deliver to the sports body.

 He also thanked Governor Alex Otti for providing all the equipments needed for the para badminton athletes. He also thanked all the state’s sports management for their hard work.

 ‘‘I would like to again thank the state itself on all the effort… what we have seen here is okay it’s an important step for your State and Nigeria, and you are setting the example and how things can be done,’’ Sayeed said.

The completion will be the first Abia international badminton completion as the All Africa Championship will be held in Abia, scheduled for 30^th September to 12^th October, 2025.

 In his speech, the National Coordinator for para badminton, Samuel Ekeoma, thanked Governor Otti for his input which he described as with a governor with ‘‘magnanimous hearts’’.

‘‘ through his magnanimous hearts you have decided to give meanings to the life of people living with disability, promoting inclusivity and also what we believe in sports especially in para badminton, one family.

 ‘‘I want to thank Governor Otti for a platform to have a sort of tournament like this, and it is very special to us because para badminton is virtually not known too much people especially in Nigeria because we are just upcoming but we’ve gone with a very high speed, we have done what so many sports in Nigeria since in creation have not been able to do within just five years, para badminton has redeemed Africa’’.

Ekeoma maintained that the Abia team was the first to win Bronse in Africa and remains the only state to have been hosting para badminton in Nigeria for the 5^th time.

 Bolaji Eniola Mariam, the first female to win a medal in Africa in the para badminton was discovered through the hosting of the competition, also Nnana Chigozie who has been rewarded with Abia civil service, both are on ground for the competition.

Other stakeholders of the badminton completion in Nigeria were also on ground.