Umuahia Hosts First National Open Para Powerlifting Championship  

_130 athletes from 36 states, FCT expected as Gov. Otti declares event open Thursday_

UMUAHIA, Abia State – Umuahia, the Abia State capital, will come alive beginning today, Wednesday, August 19, 2026, as the state welcomes athletes from across Nigeria for the First Abia State National Open Para Powerlifting Championship holding at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Umuahia Township Stadium.

The competition will bring together world, national, regional and state para powerlifting champions as well as their officials, including the recently crowned Commonwealth Games champion, Esther Nworgu.

According to the Para Powerlifting Coach in the Abia State Sports Council, Jude Chinedu Ihuarulam, the competition is open and will feature all weight categories for both males and females.

He disclosed that about 130 para powerlifters from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory are expected to participate.

The championship will be declared open by Abia State Governor Alex Chioma Otti, who is also the Chief Guest of Honour on Thursday, August 20, 2026.

The State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, will serve as the Chief Host, while the State Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George, alongside the Chairman, Abia State Para Powerlifting Association, Hon. Idika Mba Uduma, will be on hand to welcome the athletes, officials and other stakeholders.

Some of Abia State’s para powerlifters are expected to make the state proud at the event.

They include international medalists Friday Ukoha, Ifeanyi Nnajiofor, Chigozie Adulphus, Blessing Meribe, Joy Nwaogo, Blessing Nwakanma, Esther Nworgu and Onyinyechi Gift Mark, as well as rising youngsters Chiamaka Ezeigbo, Promise Bassey and Innocent Miracle.

The 3-day championship is expected to showcase top talents in para powerlifting and further position Abia as a hub for sports development in Nigeria.