National Sports Commission Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, has commended Abia State for adopting para-badminton as its sport of focus, describing it as a benchmark for other states to emulate.
Dikko gave the commendation while hosting the Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Nwaobilor Ananaba, and the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Mr. Francis Orbih, who briefed him on preparations for the forthcoming Para-Badminton International Championships in Abia State.
The maiden Abia Para-Badminton International Championships is scheduled for September 30 to October 5, 2025, followed by the All-African Para-Badminton Championships from October 6 to 12 in Umuahia.
He praised Abia for its consistent investment in para-badminton and sports infrastructure, pledging the Commission’s full support for the international tournaments.
According to him, “This is a benchmark that we can proudly tell other states to adopt. We must encourage states to identify sports of comparative strength and invest in them.”
Dikko also celebrated Nigeria’s rising para-badminton star, Eniola Bolaji, who has won four international titles this year, noting that she has been placed in Category A of the Commission’s athletes’ grants.
Earlier, Hon. Ananaba said Abia’s decade-long investment in para-badminton is part of its inclusive sports development agenda, while BFN President, Orbih, disclosed that 16 countries will feature in the international event and 15 countries in the African Championships.
The visit climaxed with the NSC Chairman presenting the African Women Award in Sports to Eniola Bolaji.
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