In 18 days time ( 30 September 2025), over 224 players from twenty ( 20 ) African and non African countries will be Umuahia, Abia State Capital to participate in two Badminton championships to be held at the International Conference Center ( ICC) Badminton ground.
The two championships are, the First Abia Para Badminton International Championships 2025 and the All Africa Para Badminton Championships which are to hold from September 30 to 5 October, and from 6th October to 12th, respectfully.
India and Nigeria are leading in the number of players/competers with 58 and 54 respectively, in the two championships being organized by the Badminton Federation of Nigeria ( BFN ), and the Abia State Badminton Association ( ASBA ) , in collaboration with the Abia State Government and it’s Ministry of Sports, as part of the state governor, Dr Alex Otti’s drives to further advance Abia as an emerging global sports destination, in addition to setting new benchmark for para sports hosting in Nigeria and Africa.
The Abia state Deputy Governor ( DG ) Chief Ikechukwu Emetu, who is Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee ( MOC ), said that the two Championships were sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation ( BWF) and the All-African Para Badminton Championships.
He spoke yesterday during the ”Media And Marketing Reveal and Interactive Luncheon for the two championships” held at the ICC, lauding the state governor Dr Alex Otti’s vision and positive disposition to sports, disclosing that the governor due to his unwavering support, approved the state Hosting rights without hesitation, when their hosting rights were granted.
While commending governor Otti for prioritizing inclusiveness development and youth empowerment through sports.
DG Emetu said “this Initiative reflects our belief that talent knows no physical limitation, every athlete deserves the chance to compete, aspire to excel on the global stage,”.
According to the deputy governor, the economic and social benefits of hosting the tournaments, included fostering increased activity in the hospitality, tourism, and transport sectors, and inspiring Abia youths hence , he urged the public, government institutions, potential sponsors, and the media to do the needfuls.
The DG also commended the Badminton World Federation ( BWF ) and Badminton Confederation Africa ( BCA) for granting Abia the Hosting Rights stating that their confidence on the State, their technical guidance and commitment to the growth of Para Badminton in Africa, have elevated the championships profiles, and positioned the state firmly in the global sports map.
The state Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr Nwaobilor Ananaba, said ” the state government provided substantial funding to ensure world-class delivery, effected the renovation of our competition venue to international standards, approved purchase of a specialized Mobility Bus for wheelchair – bound athletes to enhance their transportation and accessibility during competitions, and thus demonstrated that inclusion must be practical, not just theoretical.
He added that the governor procured cutting-edge Para Badminton equipment, describing it as the first of it’s kind in Africa, and by so doing ” set a new benchmark for sports development on the African continent”.
National President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Mr Francis Orbih, who spoke via Zoom, acknowledged and lauded Governor Otti’s huge support and commitment to sports development, particularly para-badminton.
Assuring that the country’s governing body would provide full support for the successful organisation of the championships, Orbih recalled that Governor Otti had sponsored the State’s contingent to the World Para-Badminton Championship.
BFN Second Vice President, and National Coordinator of the Championships, Mr Ekeoma Samuel, said in his speech that they , are fully prepared to host the first-ever Para-Badminton Games in Umuahia.
“This sporting event will be the first of its kind to be hosted in the State. We have secured the hosting rights from both international governing bodies, the Badminton World Federation and the Badminton Confederation of Africa”.
He thanked Governor Otti for his support and keen interest in sports development, especially paralympics, games, asserting that his doing so, has enabled the State to host various sporting events.
