The Abia State Sports Council held a press briefing on Thursday to celebrate their recent championship success and historic achievements at the Para-Badminton World Championship.
The Abia Para-Badminton team had made history for Nigeria and Africa, producing the first player to reach the Quarter Finals in the para-badminton World Championship. Nnanna Chigozie Jeremiah, an SL (4) player, secured a quarter-final finish at the Para-Badminton World Championship held in Thailand from February 19 to 25, 2024. This remarkable achievement marks him as the 18th best Paralympic player in the world and the first African player to reach this stage in the Para-Badminton competition. Nnanna, along with his teammates, Okoro Lucky Chinyere, Eze Chukwuebuka Sunday, Chukwuemeka Ijeoma Gift, and Emmanuel Ifeanacho Ohaeri, have significantly improved their world rankings through their participation in various international tournaments in the United Arab Emirates, Uganda, Egypt, and Japan.
The President of the Nigeria Para-Badminton Federation and Secretary of Abia State Badminton Association, Mr. Samuel Ekeoma expressed his gratitude to the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for his support and funding of para-badminton in Nigeria. He highlighted Dr. Otti’s sponsorship of the team’s participation in these international competitions, representing Nigeria, which resulted in the team securing numerous gold, silver, and bronze medals.
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“The Badminton Association of Abia State has been struggling to promote Para-Badminton in Abia State, Nigeria and Africa at large. Since the emergence of Dr. Alex Otti as Governor of Abia State, the Abia State para-badminton team has been sponsored in 5 international tournaments. They’ve been in Egypt, Thailand, Dubai, Uganda and Japan representing Nigeria and fully sponsored by the Abia State governor.
Before the governor came into office, Nigeria players in Badminton and Para-Badminton were out of World Ranking due to lack of sponsorship to international tournaments, but the governor took it upon himself to give the team a push to compete in World Championships.”
The Director of Sports, Comr. Obioma George further emphasized the governor’s commitment to promoting sporting activities within the state and encouraging youth participation. He expressed his appreciation to the governor, the sports ministry, and the Badminton Federation for their support.
“Today we celebrate the success of the Abia State Para-badminton Association, but this would not have been possible if the governor had not appended his golden signature. The best thing that has happened to Abia State Sports Ministry is the emergence of Dr. Alex Otti as governor.
“He (the governor) sponsored the team to represent Abia at the National level, when he was not yet the governor, now that he’s the governor, he is committed to improving badminton and sports in general in Abia State.”
The team had clinched 9 gold medals, 3 silver, and 12 bronze, from various tournaments, and their world ranking had improved.
The Abia State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, who was represented by Dr. Ken Kezie Anyikwa, pledged continued support for the para badminton program and announced the state’s commitment to sponsoring the team’s participation in the upcoming 2024 Paris Paralympic tournament.
“The government of Alex Otti is ready to touch every sector, especially the sector of Youth and Sports. This team has gone to various countries of the world, and the next stage is the Paralympics games at Paris. I assure you of the State Government’s support in making sure you go to Paris and provide for whatever needs the team has.
“Abia State has produced the first among all the states and I must say that we have the best Director of Sports who has constantly won medals for the State.”
Nnanna Chigozie Jeremiah expressed gratitude to the governor for sponsoring the team to represent Nigeria, and pledged the team’s dedication to achieving further success.
Good reporting and kudos to Our Governor, Dr Alex Otti OFR for his love and passion for sports development in Nigeria, mostly in Para Badminton