Team Nigeria stamped their dominance at the Africa Para Badminton Championships 2025, finishing top of the medal table with an impressive 36 medals — including 10 gold, 13 silver, and 13 bronze — as the competition concluded on Sunday at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.
The National Olympic Committee of Kenya came second with 11 medals (4 gold, 2 silver, 5 bronze), while Egypt secured third place with eight medals (3 gold, 1 silver, 4 bronze). Republic of Benin followed in fourth with five medals (1 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze), and Congo Democratic Republic placed fifth with one gold and two bronze.
Read Also: Ekpoma Supernova Earn First Win As Emotan Queens Maintain Perfect Run In Edo State Female Cricket League
Tunisia, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, and Mauritius also featured on the medal chart, while Mozambique was the only country that did not secure a medal among the 12 nations competing in 19 events from October 7–12.
Nigeria’s gold medal heroes included the continent’s para badminton queen Eniola Bolaji, alongside Chigozie Nnanna, Chukwuemeka Eze, Ijeoma Chukwuemeka, Mary Nathan, Chinyere Okoro, Munkwoba Goman, and Bello Tukur. Notably, Bolaji, Nnanna, and Nathan had also won gold medals just days earlier at the First Abia Para Badminton International, held at the same venue from September 30 to October 5.
Other standout performers such as Odinachi Uwalaka, Obinna Nwosu, Ifeanacho Ohaeri, Ebikoboere Brown, Abel David, James Akpan, and Nendimwa Monday claimed silver medals for Nigeria, underscoring the nation’s strength across multiple categories.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, represented by Nwaobilor Ananaba, Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, lauded the athletes and the event organizers for delivering an inspiring championship.
“We have learned, improved, and been inspired. Abia will bid to host again — and when we do, we will offer an experience that will surpass this pioneering effort,” he said.
Also speaking, Francis Orbih, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), commended the para athletes for showcasing “the power of ability, resilience, and human dignity.”
“You have shown that sport transcends physical limits. We thank the Badminton World Federation and Badminton Confederation of Africa for their continued support and the Abia State Government for hosting a world-class event,” he added.
The championship not only celebrated sporting excellence but also highlighted Abia State’s emergence as a beacon for inclusive sports development in Africa, with Nigeria reaffirming its status as the continental powerhouse in para badminton
