Abia Emerges Overall Champion at 5th Para-Badminton Open Championship

Posted : 19 July 2025

Host state, Abia, emerged as the overall winner of the 5th edition of the Para-Badminton Open Championship, which concluded in Umuahia, the state capital, with a total haul of 17 medals (5 gold, 5 silver, and 7 bronze).

Plateau State secured second position with eight medals (4 gold, 1 silver, and 3 bronze), while Ogun State finished third with five medals (3 gold and 2 bronze). Kwara State took fourth place with 3 gold medals, and Imo State completed the top five with nine medals overall (1 gold, 5 silver, and 3 bronze).

Other medal-winning states included:

Rivers: 6th place with 3 medals (1 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze)
Kebbi: 7th place with 2 medals (1 gold and 1 silver)
Delta: 8th place with 1 gold
Akwa Ibom: 9th place with 2 silver medals
Bayelsa: 10th place with 5 medals (1 silver and 4 bronze)

The remaining positions were:

Lagos: 11th place with 1 silver and 1 bronze
Anambra: 12th place with 1 silver
Taraba: 13th place with 1 bronze
Ebonyi: 14th place with no medal

In his address before officially declaring the championship closed, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti—represented by the Commissioner for Information, Chief Okey Kanu—stated that the event was not only a convergence of talent, resilience, and sportsmanship but also a testament to the power of inclusivity, unity, and determination.

Governor Otti praised the Commissioner for Sports, the Local Organizing Committee, the State Badminton Association, and the Badminton Federation of Nigeria for their efforts in ensuring a successful tournament. He also encouraged the athletes to view themselves as heroes.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba; the Chairman of the State Badminton Association, Abel Sunday; and the National Coordinator for Para-Badminton, Samuel Ekeoma, expressed gratitude to the Governor for his visionary investments and unwavering support for young talents in sports.

In their remarks, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, and Director of Para-Sports at the National Sports Commission, Thecla Opara, also commended Governor Otti for his commitment to developing para-sports and supporting athletes across Nigeria.

The closing ceremony featured a star match between Olympic bronze medalist Eniola Bolaji, who paired with Ayuba Yahaya to defeat Odinakachi Uwalaka and James Akpan in the SL3 final.

Goodwill messages were delivered by various stakeholders, including the Special Assistant to the Governor on Vulnerable Groups, the Abia State Commission for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities, the Chairman of the State House of Assembly Committee on Sports, Ezeneanne Charles Chiemeka, and the President of the Para Powerlifting Federation of Nigeria. The event also included the presentation of medals and certificates.

Meanwhile, the 1st Abia Para-Badminton International Championship is scheduled for September 30 to October 5, 2025, to be followed by the All Africa Para-Badminton Championship from October 6 to 12, 2025.

Abia Emerges Overall Champion at 5th Para-Badminton Open Championship

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