The Abia State government has announced plans to host the inaugural Abia Para Badminton International and the All Africa Para Badminton championships. The events, scheduled for September 30 to October 5 and October 6 to October 12, respectively, will take place at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia, the state capital. According to Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu, who chairs the main organizing committee, the championships will mark a defining moment in the state’s history of hosting international sports events.
Emetu emphasized that hosting these championships is more than a sporting achievement; it’s a statement of Abia’s capacity, hospitality, and vision. He noted that the events will showcase the state’s organizational excellence, cultural warmth, and respect for athletes of all abilities. The deputy governor urged athletes to compete with determination and pride, highlighting the importance of sports in uniting people beyond borders, politics, and differences.
The championships are expected to stimulate the local economy, hospitality, tourism, and small businesses, while also inspiring a new generation of young people in Abia and Nigeria to embrace sportsmanship, perseverance, and inclusivity. Over 224 athletes from 16 countries have already indicated interest in participating in the two championships. The events will also provide an opportunity for Abia State to exercise its organizational excellence and showcase its cultural warmth to the world.
The Abia State government has received commendations for its support of sports development, particularly from the Badminton Federation of Nigeria. The federation’s president, Francis Orbih, expressed gratitude to Governor Alex Otti for his commitment to advancing para sports in the state. The state government has also provided logistics support, including a wheelchair-accessible bus for transporting athletes during the championships.
The championships will be a historic moment for Nigeria, marking the country’s first time hosting an international para badminton event. The events will feature athletes from across Africa and around the world, providing a platform for para badminton players to showcase their skills and compete at an international level. With the support of the Badminton World Federation and the Badminton Confederation of Africa, the championships are expected to set a new benchmark for excellence in sports and hosting in Africa.
