Abia Wins South-East Shooting Championship

Abia state has emerged as the overall winner of the South-East Shooting Championship after finishing top of the medal table with an impressive haul of five gold medals and one silver.

Enugu state placed second with a total of six medals, comprising one gold, four silver and one bronze, while Imo State followed with four medals, winning one silver and three bronze, while Anambra State secured one bronze medal at the competition.

The week-long event, which featured seminars and competition activities that included Mixed Doubles Pistol, Mixed Double Rifle and Para Pistol events, had shooters from across the South-East region, served as a platform for identifying emerging talents and further strengthening grassroots development of shooting sports in the region.

Speaking, on Friday, at the closing ceremony of the championship, in Umuahia, the Abia state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba expressed gratitude to all stakeholders involved in the successful hosting of the competition in the state.

The Commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Abia State Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Mrs Jane Maxwell Igwe, thanked the organisers, athletes and officials for their contributions, describing the championship as successful and impactful

He encouraged the athletes to see the competition as a foundation for greater achievements, urging them to remain focused and intensify their efforts.

Also speaking, the President of the Nigeria Shooting Federation (NSF), Commodore Muhammed Shettima, commended Abia state Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for supporting the hosting of the first regional shooting sports competition in the South-East, describing the initiative as a major boost for grassroots sports development in Nigeria.

“Abia’s support had helped to demystify shooting as a sport and dispel public fears associated with it,” he said.

He explained that shooting sports, like archery, are regulated competitive activities and are not inherently dangerous, stressing that the federation was committed to popularising the sport across the country.

The NSF president also praised the Abia State Government for its commitment to hosting the maiden event despite limited resources.

“The competition aligns with the Federal Government’s grassroots development agenda, which seeks to identify and nurture talents at the community level.

“Nigeria has many talented youths who lack opportunities, adding that shooting sports would provide a platform for employment and skills development, irrespective of educational background, gender or physical ability,” he stated.

He disclosed that the federation plans to replicate the regional competition across other zones, including the South-South, South-West and Northern regions, before organising a national championship that would serve as a pathway to continental and global competitions.

The NSF president noted that sports could serve as a viable alternative source of employment for youths, pointing out that success in sports is driven by skill and dedication rather than academic qualifications.

On the standard of the competition, Shettima said that given that shooting sport is still developing in Nigeria, the organisers of the competition had performed creditably.

He particularly applauded Governor Otti for personally identifying with the event, describing him as the first Governor to openly support shooting sports since he became NSF president.

He expressed optimism that the Abia competition would set the pace for future tournaments and pledged the federation’s commitment to making shooting sports both popular and profitable in Nigeria.

In his speech, the Director of Sports in Abia State, Comrade Obioma George expressed satisfaction with the state’s participation and performance at the competition, describing Abia’s decision to embrace the sport as timely and rewarding.

Comrade George said that Abia had taken a clear lead on the medal table at the competition, adding that the performances of the athletes exceeded expectations.

He assured that the state would host more shooting competitions, noting that plans were already underway to organise an internal Abia State Shooting Championship immediately after the regional event.

According to him, both para-athletes and able-bodied athletes from the state performed excellently, demonstrating Abia’s growing strength in the sport.

The director said the expansion of sporting activities in the state would enhance Abia’s competitiveness at the national level and create more opportunities for youths to discover and develop their talents.

Comrade George attributed the progress in sports development to the commitment of Governor Alex Otti, who, he said, had directed through the Commissioner for Sports that all sports should be developed in the state.

He explained that shooting sports should not be considered expensive, noting that the major equipment, once acquired, could be used permanently, unlike in some other sports that require frequent replacement of supplies.

Comrade George disclosed that the state government had plans to acquire the necessary equipment and facilities to sustain the sport, especially given Abia’s readiness to host major competitions in the South-East.

He reaffirmed the state’s resolve to build on the success of the regional competition and sustain the momentum in sports development, expressing confidence that the present administration would continue to support the sector.

Earlier, the Lead Shooting Coach of the competition,Mr. Adoyi Elaochi, described the Championship as a standard 10-metre air pistol and rifle event, designed to promote the sport in Nigeria.

Mr Elaochi explained that each participant fired a total of 60 shots during the competition, in line with international regulations.

He said that the development of shooting sports in the country would improve significantly if other states emulated Abia State’s commitment to promoting the sport.

According to him, shooting offers vast medal opportunities at the global level, noting that the sport accounts for about 45 medals at the Olympic Games, some of which Nigeria has previously contested and won.

Mr Elaochi stressed that shooting is a sport with great potential and called for sustained investment and development across the country.

In an interview with newsmen, a parashooter, Mr Iheanacho Ohaeri expressed optimism about his career in shooting following his performances at the competition.

Mr Ohaeri said he was grateful to have won a silver medal at the championship and expressed confidence that with improved training equipment, physically challenged athletes could engage in the sport.

Another athlete, Miss Esther Ejim, who won a gold medal, said that the regional event provided her with an opportunity to showcase her skills, noting that the competition was easier than some previous contests she had participated in, and assured of her commitment to further developing her skills.