Abia State Gears Up to Host 2025 Africa Para Badminton Championships
Umuahia, Abia State will witness a monumental sports event as the city prepares to welcome the 2025 1st Abia State Para Badminton International and All African Championships. Recent inspection visits by international officials have affirmed the state’s readiness to host this prestigious tournament.
Commissioners Highlight Preparation and Excitement
Mr. Nwaobilor Ananaba, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, expressed his excitement about hosting this international championship. “It’s an honor to be granted the right to host the 2025 1st Abia State Para Badminton International and All African Championships in Umuahia,” he said. “I can confidently inform you that the State is ready and fully prepared to host the championship.” Ananaba emphasized the significance of the inspection visit, stating, “It is necessary for the officials to carry out the inspection so as to ascertain the level of preparations.”
The commissioner further highlighted Abia State’s commitment to sports development, stating that Governor Alex Otti’s administration is dedicated to supporting the youth and taking sports to new heights.
International Officials Impressed with Facilities
Dr. Ahmed Reda, Development Manager of the Badminton Confederation Africa (BCA), expressed his satisfaction with Abia’s preparations. “We can see it’s a very good facility and we can see it can host international tournaments,” he remarked. “The standards are there. For sure, we can see the facility is huge for us. It 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 tournaments for sure.
We are very confident about badminton in Nigeria that it would do a wonderful job.”
Rajae Rochdy, Head of BCA Operations, echoed Reda’s sentiments, also expressing satisfaction with Abia’s readiness to host the tournament.
Abia State: A Home for Para Badminton
Mr. Francis Orbhil, President of the Para Badminton Federation of Nigeria, emphasized Abia State’s vital role in the advancement of para badminton,
saying that the state’s significant contributions made it the natural choice for hosting the African Para Badminton Championships.”
“Abia is home to Para Badminton in Nigeria through the instrumentality of Ekeoma Samuel, who initiated and nurtured Nigerian Para Badminton,” Ananaba explained, proudly praising Ekeoma’s contributions to the sport’s development.”
“Today, Nigeria is amongst the para badminton medalists at the just concluded Paralympic Games in Paris,”
he continued.
Orbhil commended Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring numerous sports competitions, particularly Life para badminton, and praised Abia native Ekeoma Samuel, the Second Vice President and National Coordinator of Para Badminton for the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, for his contributions to the development of the sport.
Timeline and Notable Attendees
The inspection visits, which commenced on November 28th, 2024, concluded on December 2nd, 2024. The dignitaries accompanying the international officials included Comrade Obioma George, the State Director of Sports, Directors from the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, and members of the Para Badminton Federation of Nigeria.
How will hosting this event contribute to the development and recognition of para-sports in Nigeria and Africa?
## Abia State Prepares to Host Historic Para-Badminton Championships
**Interviewer:** Welcome to the program! Today we’re speaking with Mr. Nwaobilor Ananaba, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, about the exciting upcoming event, the 2025 1st Abia State Para Badminton International and All African Championships. Commissioner, welcome to the show.
**Commissioner Ananaba:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Interviewer:** Abia State is set to host this prestigious tournament. What are your thoughts on this incredible opportunity?
**Commissioner Ananaba:** We are absolutely thrilled and honored to be chosen as the host for these championships. It’s a testament to the commitment of Governor Alex Otti’s administration to fostering youth development and showcasing Abia State on the international sporting stage [ [text provided]].
**Interviewer:** Inspection visits by international officials recently took place. What were the outcomes of these visits?
**Commissioner Ananaba:** The inspection visits were incredibly positive. Dr. Ahmed Reda, Development Manager of the Badminton Confederation Africa, expressed great satisfaction with our facilities, stating they are more than capable of hosting international tournaments [ [text provided]].
**Interviewer:** This comes at a great time for para-badminton in Nigeria, with the Abia State team making history recently by reaching the quarter finals of the Para Badminton World Championships [[1](https://dailypost.ng/2024/03/01/abias-badminton-team-makes-history-for-nigeria-reaches-quarter-finals/)].
**Commissioner Ananaba:** Absolutely! The recent success of the Abia State Para Badminton team has been incredibly inspiring, and we hope that hosting this tournament will further fuel the growth and development of para-badminton in Nigeria and across Africa.
**Interviewer:** What message do you have for the athletes who will be competing in Umuahia?
**Commissioner Ananaba:** We want to extend a warm welcome to all the athletes, coaches, and officials who will be joining us in Umuahia. We are confident that they will have an exceptional experience and that the championships will be a resounding success. We look forward to showcasing the hospitality and sporting spirit of Abia State to the world.
**Interviewer:** Thank you so much for your time, Commissioner Ananaba. We wish you and Abia State all the best in hosting this momentous event.
**Commissioner Ananaba:** Thank you.