Nigeria has emerged the overall winner of the All African Para Badminton Championships 2025 which ended in Umuahia, Sunday, October 12. It was a big leap for the host nation which had a week earlier finished fourth on the medals chart in the First Abia International Para Badminton Championship.
Team Nigeria put up a dominant performance winning a total of 36 medals, comprising 10 gold, 13 silver and 13 bronze to make the host nation lead the other 11 participating countries with huge margin.
Kenya, which placed distance second behind Nigeria won 11 medals made up of 4 gold, 2 silver and 5 bronze, while Egypt occupied third position after winning 8 medals, including 3 gold, 1 silver and 4 bronze.
Republic of Benin came fourth with 1 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals, while Democratic Republic of Congo finished fifth with 1 gold and 2 bronze medals.
Other countries, Tunisia, Cameroun, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, and Rwanda completed the top 10 with varying numbers of silver and bronze medals, including Mauritius that managed to get a bronze medal. Only Mozambique emerged from the championship without winning a single medal of any colour.
Speaking, at the closing ceremony of the week-long event held at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, the State Governor, Mr. Alex Otti, said that the championship was a celebration of resilience and unity among African nations.
“You have all brought your colours, cultures, and courage to our country. Together we have written a beautiful history of inclusion through sports, one that will echo across Africa, years to come,” he said.
The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, thanked all the countries from across every region of the African continent, whose athletes participated in the championship.
He said that the performances of the ahletes, which “has lifted our spirits and remind us why sports is one of humanity’s finest gifts”.
The Abia Governor, whose commitment made it possible for the State to host two Para Badminton Championships under two weeks, noted that the athletes would return home “with medals and memories they have all won in courage and character”.
He expressed gratitude to the Badminton World Federation(BWF) and the Badminton Confederation of Africa(BCA) for their unwavering partnership and professionalism that assisted Abia in hosting a successful Para Badminton Championship.
According to him, “we have not only shared a championship, we have built friendship and together built one sporting family”.
Otti also sent “special commendation” to the Badminton Federation of Nigeria(BFN) and its board, for keeping watch day and night “to ensure we met every standard”. He acknowledged the efforts of the local organising committee, subcommittees, and countless volunteers and support staff, describing them as “the silent heroes of this success”.
The Abia Governor stated that Nigeria has gained much by hosting the Para Badminton events, hence “for us in Nigeria, this experience has been a priceless classroom. We have learned, improved, and been inspired”.
He gave the assurance that “Abia will bid to host (the championships) again. And when we do, we will offer an experience that will far surpass the pioneer effort”.
Otti charged the athletes to take home “the warmth, friendship, and hospitality from Umuahia”, following their experience of coming to Abia to participate in the championship.
“Let the memories of your time here remain with you, that Abia welcomes the world, and the world is always welcome to Abia,” he stated.
The President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, expressed his pride and joy at the successful conclusion of the tournament, and lauded the Governor and the people of Abia for being good host.
He noted that all through the duration of the championsnip “spectators witnessed a remarkable display of courage, skill, and determination” exhibited by the athletes.
Orbih said that the athletes not only competed with excellence but also inspired people with their resilience and spirit of sportsmanship.
He praised BWF, BCA and all the partners that joined hands to make the All African Para Badminton Championship hosted in Abia State, Nigeria, a huge success.
