Edo State has emerged overall champions of the inaugural Abia Open National Para-Powerlifting Championship after winning six gold, two silver and three bronze medals at the three-day competition held in Umuahia.
Enugu State finished second with four gold medals, while hosts Abia occupied third position with two gold, two silver and two bronze medals. Delta State emerged fourth with two gold, two silver and one bronze medal, while Plateau State came fifth with one gold, three silver and three bronze medals.
The championship, which attracted athletes from 14 states, was held at the Indoor Hall of the Umuahia Township Stadium and also served as a qualifier for the All-African Games.
Speaking on behalf of the Abia State Government at the close of the championship, the Secretary of the Abia State Sports Council, Jerry-Basil Udeh, commended the organisers for what he described as a smooth and successful tournament.
While noting that the competition has showcased Abia’s commitment to sports development, Udeh applauded the participating athletes for their performances.
He also commended Governor Alex Otti for creating an enabling environment for athletes to excel in various sporting disciplines.
Udeh, urged the athletes to train harder to remain competitive and valuable in the sports industry.
The Vice-President of the Abia Para-Powerlifting Association, Patrick Akutekwe, in an interview, thanked Governor Otti for hosting what he described as the first tournament of its kind in the South-East.
Akutekwe urged other governors in the region to emulate Abia by supporting persons living with disabilities and providing platforms through which they could discover and develop their talents.
He described sports as one of the avenues through which persons with disabilities could showcase their abilities, become self-reliant and make meaningful contributions to society.
Also speaking, a board member of the Abia Para-Powerlifting Association, Prince Paul Ngadiuba, described the championship as successful and unprecedented in the state.
Ngadiuba encouraged other physically challenged persons who were yet to discover their talents to come forward, stressing that “there is ability in disabilities”.
Abia-born world record holder, Onyinyechi Mark, and the team’s captain, Ikechukwu Obichukwu, who led the host state’s contingent at the championship, commended Governor Otti for supporting para-athletes in the state and expressed satisfaction with their performances at the competition.
In all, the 14 participating states won 18 gold, 17 silver and 16 bronze medals, bringing the total number of medals won at the championship to 51.
