5th Abia National Open Para- Badminton Championship ends on a high as hosts Abia retains number one spot
Host state, Abia emerged overall winners of the 5th edition of the para-badminton open championship which ended Thursday in Umuahia the state capital with a total of 17 Medals(5 gold, 5 silver and 7 bronze), Plateau state took the second position with eight medals overall(4 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze), Ogun state placed third with a total of five medals (3 gold and 2 bronze), Kwara state emerged fourth with 3 gold medals, whereas Imo state state completed the top five with a total of nine medals overall (1 gold, 5 silver and three bronze).
Others were Rivers in sixth position winning a total of three medals (1 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze, followed by Kebbi state on seventh with 1 gold and 1 silver, Delta won one gold to place 8th, Akwa Ibom state finished ninth with 2 silver medal while Bayelsa state went home with a total of five medals (1 silver and 4 bronze) to finish 10th.
The rest were Lagos finishing in eleventh position with 1 silver and 1 bronze , Anambra state places 12th with 1 silver medal as Taraba state finish in 13th with 1 bronze medal while Ebonyi state finished bottom of the table with no medal.
In his speech before declaring the championship officially closed, Governor of Abia state Dr. Alex Otti who was represented by the commissioner for Information Chief Okey Kanu said the event was not only a convergence of talent, resilience and sportsmanship but also served as a reminder of the power of inclusivity, unity and determination.
Governor Otti while crediting the commissioner for sports and the local organizing committee, the state Badminton Association and the Badminton Federation of Nigeria for a successful outing also charged the athletes to see themselves as heroes.
Earlier the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, the State Badminton Association chairman Mr. Abel Sunday and the National Coordinator para-badminton Mr. Samuel Ekeoma thanked the Governor for opening doors of opportunity for young talents and champions in the sports ecosystem through his visionary investment and unwavering support.
In their remarks the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria Mr. Francis Orbih and the Director para-sports at the National Sports Commission Mrs. Thecla Opara also appreciated Governor Otti for his support for sportsmen and women in the country especially para-athletes and sports development in general.
The closing ceremony witnessed a star match between Olympic bronze medallist Eniola Bolaji who paired with Ayuba Yahaya to defeat Odinakachi Uwalaka and James Akpan in SL3 final, goodwill messages from partners of the programme including the office of the SA to the Governor on vulnerable groups and the Abia state Commission for the welfare of person with disabilities, the Chairman of the state House of Assembly Committee on Sports, Ezeneanne Charles Chiemeka President of the Para Powerlifting Federation of Nigeria and the presentation of medals and certificates amongst other highlights.
The championship began on Monday July 14 and ended on Thursday July 17, 2025.
Meanwhile the 1st Abia Para Badminton International Championship is scheduled to take place from September 30 to October 5, 2025, followed by the All Africa Para Badminton Championship from October 6 to 12, 2025.
