Team Nigeria delivered a commanding performance at the 2025 Africa Para Badminton Championships, clinching the overall title with a massive haul of 36 medals — 10 gold, 13 silver, and 13 bronze — as the tournament concluded on Sunday in Umuahia, Abia State.
Kenya finished a distant second with 11 medals (four gold, two silver, and five bronze), while Egypt secured third place on the podium with eight medals, comprising three gold, one silver, and four bronze.
The Republic of Benin followed in fourth with five medals (one gold, two silver, and two bronze), trailed by the Democratic Republic of Congo in fifth, claiming one gold and two bronze. Tunisia placed sixth with a silver and a bronze medal, while Cameroon ended in seventh with six bronze medals.
Rounding out the top 10 were Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, and Rwanda — each collecting two bronze medals. Mauritius secured one bronze to close out the medal table, leaving Mozambique as the only participating nation out of 12 without a medal.
The tournament, which featured 19 events and ran from October 7, showcased the best of para badminton across the continent, with Team Nigeria asserting dominance on home soil.
Notable among Nigeria’s gold medal winners were the continent’s top-ranked player, Eniola Bolaji, as well as Chigozie Nnanna, Chukwuemeka Eze, Ijeoma Chukwuemeka, Mary Nathan, Chinyere Okoro, Munkwoba Goman, and Bello Tukur.
Bolaji, Nnanna, and Nathan had also secured gold during the recently concluded First Abia Para Badminton International, held from September 30 to October 5 at the same venue — solidifying their elite status.
On the final day, athletes such as Odinachi Uwalaka, Obinna Nwosu, Ifeanacho Ohaeri, Ebikoboere Brown, Abel David, James Akpan, and Nendimwa Monday contributed to Nigeria’s silver medal tally.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, represented by the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Nwaobilor Ananaba, praised the athletes and officials for their dedication and competitive spirit.
“This event has been a celebration of resilience, unity, and the true spirit of sport,” he said. “We’ve learned, grown, and been inspired. Let me assure you—Abia will bid to host again. And when we do, we’ll raise the bar even higher.”
In a goodwill message, Francis Orbih, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, commended the para athletes for redefining excellence.
“Our athletes have shown that sport is not just about ability—it is about determination, dignity, and rising above limitations,” Orbih stated.
He extended appreciation to the Badminton World Federation and the Badminton Confederation of Africa for their continued support, and lauded the Abia State Government for offering a world-class platform that fostered not just competition but camaraderie among nations.
NAN
