Participating athletes at the ongoing Abia National Para-Badminton Championship are recounting their experiences ahead of the grand finale of the event slated for Thursday 17 July 2025 at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia.
Speaking with sports journalists covering the event multiple award winning Nnanna Jeremiah representing Abia in male single SL4 as well as doubles event rated the competition at par with international standards.
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The 23 year old olympian and top ranked player on the African continent in his class said he is ready both physically and mentally ahead of his final game in the men’s singles as he commended the local organizing committee and other players for the fresh challenge opportunity to prepare ahead of upcoming international competitions.
Also speaking, debutant and youngest male para-athlete at the tournament, 16 year old Japhet Unana and Mary Nathan both representing Plateau state in SL4 singles men and WH 1 women respectively heaped praises on the organizers for making adequate plans that have made the event a memorable one for them.
They also appreciated the government and people of Abia state for providing world class facilities including wheel-chair accessible ramps,toilets and seating-aligning with international para-sport event standards.
According to them, this was one of the few times they did not struggle for access as everything was put in place.
Headlining the list of winners that have emerged so far is world number 3 ranked para-badminton star Eniola Bolaji Mariam of Kwara state with gold in Women’s singles Standing Lower 3 (SL 3), followed by Oriemezie Joy from Imo state with silver while Odilaka Uwalaka from Abia State and Anna Nyam from Plateau state won bronze each to claim third and fourth positions respectively.
In the women’s double standing lower, Rivers’ Joy Ozioma and Imo’s Oriemezie Joy grabbed the gold medal, Duru Goodness Chinasa and Ogechi Onyenso all from Imo won silver while Amarachi Precious Eziuka and Blessing Iroanya all from Abia picked up the bronze.
More winners from the remaining games of the championship are expected to emerge before the kickstart of the official closing ceremony billed for Thursday 17th July, 2025 at the International Conference Umuahia at 1pm prompt.
National officers of the Badminton federation of Nigeria led by the president Mr. Francis Orbih are already in the state for the ceremony.
Information made available to the press by the Local Organizing Committee of the Abia National Open Para-Badminton Championship indicates that the Governor of Abia State Dr. Alex Otti will be on ground to officially present medals and prizes to winners and officially declare the tournament closed.
