Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive sports development as the state hosts the first Open National Para Powerlifting Championship.
The championship, which brought together para-athletes from different parts of Nigeria, is being sponsored by the Abia State Government as part of efforts to promote sports development and create opportunities for persons with disabilities.
It is scheduled to run from August 19 to 23, 2026, at the indoor sports hall of the Umuahia Township Stadium.
Declaring the championship open, Governor Otti while noting that the event was more than a sporting competition, described it as a celebration of ability, courage and inclusion,
The Governor, represented by the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, described para powerlifting as a sport that requires strength, discipline, mental toughness and dedication, saying the athletes have demonstrated resilience by overcoming challenges and pursuing excellence.
“Today is not just an opening of a sporting competition, it is a celebration of ability, courage, determination, inclusion, limitless potential, and human spirit.
“Every athlete standing before us today has overcome challenges that would have discouraged many, yet you have chosen to focus on what is possible rather than what is impossible”, he said.
Sir Ananaba assured para-athletes that the state government would continue to support initiatives that promote inclusion and provide platforms for persons with disabilities to excel in sports and other areas of life.
According to the Commissioner, the state government’s sponsorship of the championship reflects it’s commitment to ensuring that no section of society is excluded from sports development.
“Today marks the beginning of what we hope will continue to be a lasting sporting tradition.
“We want the first edition of this championship to set a standard for future editions and to establish Abia as a welcoming home for para-sports”, he added.
Sir Ananaba commended athletes who travelled from across the country to participate in the championship, assuring them that their achievement went beyond the medals they might win.
The commissioner pointed out that the Otti led administration views disability as no barrier to opportunity, dignity and achievement, stressing that sports remained an important avenue for employment, talent development, national unity, discipline and healthy living.
“As a government, we believe that disability should never be a barrier to opportunity, dignity, and achievement for national contribution.
“This is why this administration has continued to place sports and youth development among priorities”, sir Ananaba stated.
He said the decision to host the championship in Abia was deliberate, as the state sought to establish itself not only as a commercial and entrepreneurial centre but also as a destination for sports excellence and inclusive sporting development.
Ananaba urged the athletes to compete fairly and display sportsmanship throughout the championship.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Para Powerlifting Federation, its Vice-President, Akutekwe Patrick, commended Governor Otti for hosting and sponsoring the championship.
Akutekwe described governor Otti as the first governor in the South-East to sponsor and host a para-powerlifting competition.
He also commended the federation’s president, James Owadi, whom he described as a philanthropist, for personally sponsoring a national para-powerlifting competition, adding that Owadi had also invited the federation to Benue State for another championship scheduled for February 2027.
Akutekwe, a pioneer of para powerlifting who began competing in the sport in 1991, recalled that he won seven gold medals and one bronze medal for Nigeria before retiring from active competition.
In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Ukwa, also commended the state government for hosting what he described as a historic championship.
Similarly, the Secretary of the Abia State Sports Council, Jerry Basil Udeh, expressed appreciation to the governor for sponsoring and hosting the event, describing it as the first national competition of its kind to be held in the state since its creation.
