All is now set for the maiden Abia International Para Badminton Championships and the All-African Para Badminton Championships, scheduled to take place in Umuahia.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday at the International Conference Centre, venue of the competitions, Abia State Commissioner for Sports, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, represented by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Raymond Ukwa, said the state had worked tirelessly to prepare for the twin events.
According to him, Governor Alex Otti ensured the venue was upgraded to world-class standards to accommodate athletes from across the globe. He confirmed that 14 countries are expected, with about 150 athletes and 60 officials set to participate over the two-week sporting festival.
President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, announced that the Abia International Para Badminton Championships would run from September 30 to October 5, 2025, while the All-African Para Badminton Championships would hold from October 6 to 12. He described the events as historic for Nigeria and thanked the Abia State Government for its immense support.
Orbih further disclosed that a three-day workshop for coaches and players is already underway, with participants from several African countries. Those who successfully complete the program will receive certification, a development he said would boost the number of qualified para badminton coaches across the continent.
Chief Executive of the Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA), Jeff Shigoli, lauded Nigeria for becoming the third African country to host para badminton activities after Uganda and Egypt. He praised Abia State’s commitment to hosting the championship, as well as the support from the Badminton World Federation (BWF), which deployed a classification team to ensure fair participation of athletes.
Dr. Ahmed Rada, a member of both the BWF and BCA, also applauded Abia for hosting the prestigious events. He revealed that due to the large number of Nigerian participants, the BWF increased the number of medical doctors on the classification panel from two to four, underscoring the scale and significance of the championship.
The tournaments, officials noted, mark a major milestone for Nigeria and Africa, offering athletes, coaches, and enthusiasts an opportunity to strengthen para badminton across the continent.
While the vice president of Badmointon federration of Nigeria, Samuel Ekeoma listed the countries that would participate in the tourbament, the committee is chaired by the deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu. Senior Special assitant on transportation, Dr Obioma Nweogbe is incharge of transport and logistics in the tourbament.
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