Abia Tops Medal Table at Maiden South-East Shooting Championship

Abia State has emerged as the overall winner of the maiden South-East Shooting Championship, finishing top of the medal table with an impressive haul of five gold medals and one silver.

Enugu State came second with six medals, one gold, four silver and one bronze, while Imo State placed third with four medals, consisting of one silver and three bronze. Anambra State secured one bronze medal at the week-long competition.

The championship, held in Umuahia, featured seminars and competitive events such as Mixed Doubles Pistol, Mixed Doubles Rifle and Para Pistol, attracting shooters from across the South-East. Organisers described the tournament as a platform for discovering emerging talents and strengthening grassroots development of shooting sports in the region.

Speaking at the closing ceremony on Friday, the Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, expressed gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to the successful hosting of the event. Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Jane Maxwell Igwe, the commissioner commended the organisers, athletes and officials, describing the championship as impactful and successful.

He urged athletes to see the competition as a foundation for greater achievements and encouraged them to remain focused and committed.

The President of the Nigeria Shooting Federation (NSF), Commodore Muhammed Shettima, praised Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, for supporting the hosting of the first regional shooting competition in the South-East, calling it a major boost for grassroots sports development in Nigeria.

Commodore Shettima said Abia’s support had helped demystify shooting sports and dispel public fears, stressing that the sport, like archery, is a regulated competitive activity and not inherently dangerous.

He also applauded the Abia State Government for hosting the event despite limited resources, noting that the championship aligns with the Federal Government’s grassroots sports development agenda aimed at identifying and nurturing talents at the community level.

According to him, the NSF plans to replicate similar regional competitions in other zones, including the South-South, South-West and Northern regions, before organising a national championship that will serve as a pathway to continental and global tournaments.

Shettima added that sports could provide employment opportunities for youths, driven by skill and dedication rather than academic qualifications.

The Director of Sports in Abia State, Comrade Obioma George, expressed satisfaction with Abia’s performance, noting that the state’s decision to embrace shooting sports was timely and rewarding.

He revealed that Abia plans to host more shooting competitions, including an internal Abia State Shooting Championship immediately after the regional event.

George credited Governor Otti’s commitment to sports development, explaining that shooting sports should not be seen as expensive because major equipment, once acquired, can be used permanently.

Earlier, the Lead Shooting Coach, Mr Adoyi Elaochi, described the tournament as a standard 10-metre air pistol and rifle event designed to promote the sport in Nigeria. He explained that each participant fired 60 shots in line with international regulations and urged other states to emulate Abia’s commitment.

Elaochi noted that shooting offers vast medal opportunities globally, accounting for about 45 medals at the Olympic Games.

In interviews, para-shooter Mr Iheanacho Ohaeri, who won a silver medal, expressed optimism about his career and called for improved training equipment for physically challenged athletes.

Another athlete, Miss Esther Ejim, who won gold, said the event provided an opportunity to showcase her skills and pledged to continue improving her performance.