About 120 Athletes Storm Umuahia for 5th National Para Badminton Championship in Abia

About one hundred and twenty athletes from across the states of the federation are in Umuahia, the Abia State capital to participate at the 5th National Para Badminton Championship.

The six day event, sponsored by Governor Alex Otti will kick off tomorrow, Monday 14th July 2025 at the International Conference Centre, Ogurube Layout, Umuahia.

Government has expressed it’s readiness to officially kick-off the 5th Abia National Open Para Badminton Championship, commencing on Monday, July 14th, 2025

Addressing newsmen in Umuahia on Sunday on preparedness of the State for the tournament, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba expressed the readiness of the State to host the showpiece, the first time in West African subregion.

Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba
Abia State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development

Sir Ananaba expressed joy that Governor Otti is gradually turning Abia state into the sports destination of Nigeria.

“Abia State is hosting. This is in readiness to prepare for the Abia First International Badminton Championship and also the All-African Para Badminton Championship. The First in West Africa, the First in Nigeria and, indeed, the First in Abia state,” Ananaba said.

“So we’re here to just let the world know that we are ready to host and also that, we are using this tournament to test our readiness in terms of equipment at this stage and also our athletes, also certification as well to make sure, we are fair in selecting athletes.”

Speaking also, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Vulnerable Groups, Mrs. Ifeoma Thomas described the tournament as a testament of how Governor Otti is ‘promoting inclusivity, equality, using the unifying spirit of sports.’

Mrs Ifeoma Thomas
Special Assistant to the Abia State Governor on Vulnerable Groups

“We eagerly look forward to the beautiful displays of this competition, the camaraderie as participants from all across the region take the courts starting from tomorrow,” said Mrs Thomas.

“Abia State, the number one state in Nigeria, is the one hosting the very first. We’re too much, aren’t we?  We’re really glad. This is the first of its kind.”

On his part, Mr. Fadil Sayeed, Event Manager, Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA), expressed satisfaction with the quality of equipment procured by Abia State Government for the Para Badminton Championship.

Sayeed, who doubles as a member of the Badminton World Federation, extolled Governor Alex Otti and the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, for the high level of preparation on ground,

He noted that the Governor has set an example for other states of how things could be done in Nigeria.

“We want to appreciate the Executive Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for giving us this platform to come into Abia with his full support to be able to have a Para Badminton, not only on national level and international level,” Sayeed stated.

Contributing the Secretary General Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Mr. Oludare Davis appreciated the Governor for paying attention to sports development as well as giving a platform for the NFL to come into Abia.

Also, Abia born National Coordinator Para Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Mr. Samuel Ekeoma pointed out that the state Governor has given meaning to the lives of the physicallly changed individuals by promoting inclusivity.

Mr. Ekeoma who is also the Secretary of the Local Organizing Committee of the 2025 First Abia Para Badminton International and the All African Para Badminton Championships noted that Abia becomes the first in West Africa to host the tournament.

“The Governor has procured the highest facility for para badminton and para or even disabled persons facility. Today we have an accessible bus, a bus that can carry persons with disability, without stress, with all the gadgets. The only state that has the facility.

Cross section of cameramen at the News conference

“It is the first in the whole West Africa. No other state or country that has an accessible wheelchair mat. This is what the governor have done and so many other facilities have been put in place to ensure that persons with disabilities are given an international first lift,” Ekeoma maintained.