The curtain has fallen on the maiden Abia International Para Badminton Championship held in Umuahia, with Brazil emerging overall winners after clinching seven gold medals to top the medals table.
India came a close second with six gold medals alongside silver and bronze, while Peru placed third with six medals across categories. Host nation Nigeria finished fourth with three gold, four silver and nine bronze medals, ahead of other African competitors including Egypt.
The five-day tournament, which ran from September 30 to October 5, 2025, at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, featured 13 participating countries and drew praise from athletes and officials for the quality of organisation and facilities provided.
In his closing remarks, Governor Alex Otti lauded the athletes for their courage, determination and sportsmanship, noting that victory at the medals table was only one aspect of success. He reminded participants who fell short that “they are not losers,” stressing that with proper preparation they could excel in future competitions.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to inclusivity, Otti said leadership must prioritise the welfare of persons living with disabilities. “If a leader fails to pay great attention to inclusion, he can never get it right,” he stated, encouraging para-athletes not to be discouraged by challenges but to turn them into strength.
The governor also announced that Abia would host the second edition of the championship, while pledging the naira equivalent of $50,000 to be shared among participants. He further declared open the All African Para Badminton Championship scheduled to begin on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, in Umuahia.
In his goodwill message, Abia Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Nwabilor Ananaba, congratulated the athletes, team managers, technical officials and representatives of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), Badminton Confederation Africa (BCA) and the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN). He praised the display of “inclusion, perseverance and the unifying spirit of sports,” while commending Governor Otti’s vision and the role of Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu, chairman of the main organising committee.
President of the BFN, Francis Orbih, and CEO of the BCA, Jeff Shigoli, both described the event as a remarkable success, urging the state government to institutionalise it as an annual event given the quality of facilities and enabling environment.
Also, Comrade Ekeoma Samuel, 2nd National Vice President and National Coordinator of BFN, said Otti had made history as the first governor in West Africa to host a para badminton championship, noting that his efforts “put smiles on the faces of participants from across the globe.”
On the court, Nigeria’s athletes gave a good account of themselves. Paralympic bronze medallist, Eniola Bolaji, struck gold in the women’s singles SL3, while Nnanna Jeremiah, ranked first in Africa in the SL4 class, defeated his compatriot Yahaya Ayuba 2-0 (21-9, 21-8) in the men’s singles SL4 final. Mary Nathan also clinched gold in the women’s singles WH1, edging Brazil’s Juscileia Silva 2-1 (5-21, 21-18, 21-17).
Nigeria also picked up silver medals through Jeremiah, Obinna Nwosu, Chinyere Okoro, Yahaya Ayuba and Ijeoma Chukwuemeka.
Final medal standings saw Brazil top the table with seven gold, three silver and five bronze; India second with six gold, five silver and 14 bronze; Peru third with six gold, three silver and two bronze; and Nigeria fourth.
Participating nations were Brazil, India, Peru, Egypt, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, DR Congo, Mauritius, Mozambique and host Nigeria.
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