Abia Set To Host First International Para-Badminton Competition, As 14 Countries Arrive Umuahia

Fourteen countries have arrived Abia state for the first International Para Badminton Championship and the All African Badminton Championship taking place in Umuahia, Abia state capital.

The Abia state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwobilor Ananaba confirmed this while briefing newsmen at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, on preparations for the two events, holding in Umuahia, from 30th September to 12th October, 2025.

The Commissioner represented by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Raymond Chima Ukwa said that Abia state government is ready to host the international community from this Tuesday 30th September 2025.

“This is also to confirm that about 14 countries are going to be here in Abia state, and out of the 14 countries, we’re expecting about 150 athletes to play within this game. And some of these athletes are here already, and most of them will be arriving this evening and tomorrow morning.

“We have also 60 officials who are also going to accompany the athletes that are going to play within the next few days.

“We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, the first of its kind in West Africa, so to say.

“And when you’re able to go around after this press briefing, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable playing field, and of course that is also world class as well” Ananaba stated.

The Commissioner said that, over the last few months, Governor Alex Otti has invested critically to ensure that the venue of the competition is right for the play, adding that, according to the certifications, the ICC is the right place to play.

The President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Mr. Francis Orbih, while appreciating Governor Alex Otti for his immense support for the competition, revealed that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure a successful hosting of the events, adding that workshop would also be held for both coaches and players.

“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why, all these have been put together by the state, ably led by the Executive Governor, Dr. Alex Otti.

“We are having a workshop, a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.

“So as we speak, we have players from other African countries and coaches also from other African countries who have come to join from Nigeria.

“So we have a three-day workshop going on and after that there will be an assessment for them so that those who scale through that assessment will be given certificates having gone through the workshop.,” Orbih stated.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of the Badminton Confederation Africa (BCA) Jeff Shigoli, and the Head of Operations and Badminton World Federation International Classifier, Dr. Ahmed Reda expressed happiness with the progress that has been made so far, saying that, Nigeria is debuting as the third African country to host para activities

They noted that Uganda and Egypt have hosted before Nigeria and described the event as a big milestone for both Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

Some government functionaries and other Badminton officials including Special Adviser on Transport, Dr. Obioma Nwogbe, Comrade Samuel Ekeoma among others were present at the press briefing.