Abia State is set to welcome 224 players from 20 African and non-African countries for the Maiden Para Badminton International and the All-Africa Para Badminton Championships in Umuahia.
The two major para badminton events are scheduled to take place between September 30 and October 15, 2025.
The event being organized by the Badminton Federation of Nigeria and the Abia State Badminton Association, in collaboration with the Abia State Government and the Ministry of Sports, hoped to enhance Abia’s reputation as an emerging destination for global sports and set a new benchmark for para sports hosting in Nigeria and Africa.
Speaking at the official opening of the Media and Marketing Reveal of the inaugural Abia Para Badminton International and the All African Para Badminton Championships at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, the Deputy Governor, Chief Ikechukwu Emetu noted that Abia had made history as the first state in the country to host the global Para badminton events.
The Deputy Governor, who doubles as the Chairman of the Main Organising Committee for the Abia Para Badminton Championships 2025, described the events as a turning point in the state’s sports development and a celebration of inclusion, resilience and international cooperation.
Mr Chief Emetu lauded Governor Alex Otti led administration for prioritizing inclusive development and youth empowerment through sports.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, said the State Government had released funds for the successful hosting of the championship games and thanked the Governor for the procurement of cutting-edge para-badminton maintenance equipment as well as approving the purchase of a specialized mobility bus for Abia players to enhance their transportation during competitions.
Contributing via Zoom, the National President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Mr Francis Orbih, expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for his commitment towards the development of sports, particularly the Para-badminton.
Mr Orbih who explained that the State Governor had sponsored the State’s contingent to the World Para-Badminton Championships gave an assurance that the country’s governing body would provide full support to ensuring the success of the competition.
Earlier, the 2nd Vice Chairman, Para Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Mr. Ekeoma Samuel who described the forthcoming event as historic said the competition would offer the hosting state greater opportunities.
“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,” Samuel said.
