…Nigeria Places 4th, Wins 3 Gold, 4 Silver, 9 Bronze Medals
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Brazil topped the medal table with seven gold, three silver, and five bronze medals as the International Para Badminton Championship ended on Sunday in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
India came second with six gold, five silver, and 14 bronze medals, while Peru came third with six gold, three silver, and two bronze medals.
Nigeria won a total of three gold, four silver, and nine bronze medals to finish fourth on the medals table.
Abia’s Jeremiah Nnanna won a gold medal, while Nigeria’s Paralympic bronze medallist, Eniola Bolaji, also claimed gold in the women’s singles SL3 event, defeating Cameroon’s Danyele Mouafo.
Another Nigerian, Mary Nathan, clinched gold for Nigeria against Brazil’s Juscileia Silva in the women’s singles WH1 category.
A total of 114 players from 13 nations participated in 19 events in the historic tournament — the first ever hosted on West African soil.
In his remarks at the closing ceremony of the international tournament and the flag-off of the All African Para Badminton Championships at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Governor Alex Otti approved the request for Abia to host the event again next year.
Otti said the approval further demonstrated his administration’s passion for the inclusion of physically challenged persons.
“For us in Abia, our mantra is inclusion, and that’s one of the reasons we offered to host you.
And for us in leadership, we have no excuse not to provide opportunities for people who are born with one challenge or another.
Even our public transport system, which we are just putting together, has been designed to accommodate those in wheelchairs so they can have the same comfort as able-bodied people,” Otti said.
The governor announced a cash award of $50,000 to all 144 athletes from 13 countries that participated in the competition.
Speaking also, the Chief Executive Officer and representative of the Badminton World Federation, Mr. Jeff Shingoli, said that Abia State and Nigeria had demonstrated great commitment by hosting the world.
“Abia State, and indeed Nigeria, have shown outstanding commitment by welcoming the world’s best and, of course, Africa’s best.
This environment has been created to ensure the dreams of our para badminton athletes thrive.”
He commended the governor, local organizers, and the Badminton Federation of Nigeria for the successful hosting of the tournament.
“We have started a journey not only toward building champions on the court but also champions in life,” Shingoli said.
Earlier, the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Mr. Francis Orbih, thanked Governor Otti for sponsoring the competition.
He congratulated the athletes and advised them “to carry forward the spirit of unity and excellence that has followed the competition.”
Orbih also commended the partners for their collaboration, which he said had further enhanced the prestige of the tournament.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, said Governor Otti’s vision and unwavering support for sports made the championship a success.
“This championship has not only been about medals or competition; it has been about redefining possibilities — proving that abilities know no boundaries,” Ananaba stated.
The Vice President of the Para Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Mr. Samuel Ekeoma, appreciated the Abia State Government for providing mats, wheelchairs, and other support to aid the athletes.
Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, members of the State Executive Council, and sports enthusiasts were among the dignitaries present at the event.
