The First Abia International Para Badminton Championship has ended, with Nigeria’s Paralympic bronze medallist, Eniola Bolaji, emerging champion in the Women’s Singles SL3 category.
The tournament, which ended on Sunday at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, saw Bolaji, who is ranked second globally in the SL3 category by the Para World Badminton Federation, defeating Cameroon’s Danyele Mouafo 2–0 (21–7, 21–3) to claim the top prize.
In the Men’s Singles SL4, Nigeria’s Jeremiah Nnanna, Africa’s number one in the category, outclassed his compatriot Yahaya Ayuba 2–0 (21–9, 21–8) to secure gold, while Mary Nathan added another gold for Nigeria, beating Brazil’s Juscileia Silva 2–1 (5–21, 21–18, 21–17) in the Women’s Singles WH1 event.
Nigeria clinched three gold, four silver, and nine bronze medals, finishing in fourth position on the medals table.
Nigeria’s silver medallists included Jeremiah Nnanna, Obinna Nwosu, Chinyere Okoro, Yahaya Ayuba, and Ijeoma Chukwuemeka.
Brazil topped the medals table with seven gold, three silver, and five bronze medals, followed by India with six gold, five silver, and fourteen bronze, while Peru came third with six gold, three silver, and two bronze.
A total of 114 players from 14 countries competed in 19 sporting events from 30th September to 5th October, with participating countries including Brazil, India, Peru, Egypt, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, DR Congo, Mauritius, Mozambique, and host nation Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, which also marked the opening of the All Africa Para Badminton Championship scheduled to run from 7 to 12 October at the same venue, Governor Alex Otti congratulated those who won awards and medals in the competition.
Governor Otti, who described the tournament as “first of its kind in Nigeria and in West Africa,” reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusiveness and the need to empower persons living with disabilities.
“I want to congratulate those that won awards and medals in this competition — the first of its kind, I’m told, in Nigeria, even in West Africa.
“For us in Abia State, our mantra is inclusion. And that’s one of the reasons why we offered to host you. If you are anywhere and you don’t pay attention to inclusion, then you are not getting it right,” the Governor said.
He further drew inspiration from the story of John Faulkner, a limbless motivational speaker, and challenged the athletes to always give their best, regardless of their circumstances or physical condition.
“You have no excuse not to do what others are doing, and for us in leadership, we have no excuse not to provide opportunities for people who are born with one little problem or challenge or another.
“So, it gives me great pleasure that you have come and demonstrated that these little challenges will not stop you from participating in sports,” the Governor added.
Governor Otti, who revealed that the request to host the 2nd edition of the competition in Abia has been approved, also announced a $50,000 support package for participating countries, to be disbursed through the State’s Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
In their separate remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Badminton Confederation Africa, Mr. Jeff Shingoli, and the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Mr. Francis Orbih, commended Abia State and Nigeria for hosting the historic championship.
In his address, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Nwaobilor Ananaba, noted that Abia, under the leadership of Governor Otti, is fast becoming a destination for sports tourism and international sporting excellence.
The Commissioner lauded Governor Otti for his vision, unwavering support, and provision of the necessary resources which ensured the success of the event, adding that the Governor has once again demonstrated that sports play a vital role in promoting inclusion, unity, and development.
“Governor Otti’s vision and unwavering support have made this dream come true. Through the provision of world-class facilities, including Nigeria’s first wheelchair para-badminton mats, access to transport, local flights, and other logistics, His Excellency has demonstrated once again that sports are very instrumental to inclusion, unity, and growth.
“As we close this historic first edition, we open another — the All Africa Para Badminton Games, which begins tomorrow. It is a powerful reminder that sports never stop, and that Abia is becoming a destination for sports tourism and international sporting excellence,” Ananaba noted.
In a vote of thanks, the Second Vice President and National Coordinator of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Mr. Ekeoma Samuel, commended Governor Otti for making history as the first Governor in West Africa to host an international Para Badminton event.
He noted that the mats used for the tournament were the first wheelchair-accessible badminton mats in West Africa, procured by the Abia State Government, and thanked the Governor for procuring a wheelchair-accessible bus for persons with disabilities.
“Your Excellency, you are the only Governor that has produced a wheelchair-accessible bus that can carry persons with disabilities without dehumanisation. On this note, we are proud of you,” he said.
