Abia State Government has expressed its readiness to host the fourth-coming 2025 1st Abia state Para Badminton International and African Championship.
The State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Nwaobilor Ananaba disclosed this while receiving a team of international officials who were in Abia for an inspection visit in preparation for the hosting of African para badminton championship in Umuahia in 2025.
The Commissioner appreciated the fact that the officials were in the State to inspect the facilities for the event been hosted by Abia State. He said it is necessary to carry out the inspection so as ascertain the level of preparations.
Mr. Ananaba, who described it as an honour, hosting the international championship said that Abia is a home for para badminton
“Abia is home to Para Badminton in Nigeria through the instrumentality of Ekeoma Samuel , who initiated nurtured and brought Nigeria Para Badminton to light .
“Today, Nigeria is among the para badminton medalists at the just concluded paralympic games in Paris
“It is an honour to be granted the right to host the 2025 1st Abia State Para Badminton International and All African Championships in Umuahia and I like to inform you that the State is ready and fully prepared to host the championship.”
The Commissioner said that Governor Alex Otti’s administration is intentional in supporting the youths and the development of sports in the State. According to him, because of the interest of the Governor in sports and his decision to take sports to enviable heights, Governor Otti has done a lot in the sports sub sector and is poised to do more.
In their reactions, the Development Manager of Badminton Confederation Africa (BCA), Dr Ahmed Reda and the Head of Operations , Rajae Rochdy expressed satisfaction with the level of preparations of Abia.
The Development Manager of Badminton Confederation Africa (BCA), Dr Ahmed Reda in particular confirmed how good the Abia facilities are for the event, saying that it is a plus to the State.
“We can see it’s a very good facility and we can see it can host international tournament. The standards are there.
“For sure we can see that the facility is huge for us which is very important for us because it’s para badminton activity.
We can see a lot of things , it’s a plus, it’s a bonus. I can see the space can host international tournament for sure. We are very confidence about badminton in Nigeria that it would do a wonderful job.” Reda maintained.
Earlier, the President, Para Badminton Federation, Mr Francis Orbhil said that Abia State has done so well and contributed to the development of Para Badminton in Nigeria, adding that when the opportunity was given to Nigeria to host Para Badminton, they had no other choice other than chosing Abia State.
He commended Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring competitions of many sports federations especially the Para Badminton. He also appreciated the Abia born Ekeoma Samuel and 2nd Vice President National Coordinator para badminton, Badminton Federation of Nigeria for his contributions to the development of Para Badminton.
The inspection visit to Abia State which commenced 28th November would end 2nd December 2024.
The State Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George , Directors in the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, members of the Para Badminton Federation of Nigeria were among the dignitaries that accompanied the officials to the inspection.
