The President of Para-Badminton Federation of Nigeria (PBFN), Samuel Ekeoma on Sunday told ACLSports.com that the 2017 championships is bankrolled by the wife of the Abia State Governor, Nkechi Ikpeazu.
The fourth edition of the para Badminton Championships is billed for 6th to 10th of November, 2017.
Ekeoma said that the Championships is aimed at creating awareness and making the sport popular in Nigeria.
Ekeoma also said that athletes would participate in three events which include, Wheelchair (WH1, WH2), Standing Lower (SL3, SL4) and Short Stature (SS6).
“As we all know, Para Badminton has been included in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics games and it’s time for Nigeria to showcase her talent to the world. This championship is a platform to make the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports as well as the ministry of women affairs that the physically challenged individuals are fully in sports”.
“In 2016, the first Lady graced the occasion donating wheelchairs and crouches to the participants. This gingered them to put more efforts in para Badminton. The competition has come to stay and we are grateful to the first lady of Abia State for promoting para-badminton through the sponsorship of this event” he said.
“We are expecting participants from the North East, North West and North Central. Some of the team did not turn up due to logistics but I’m sure with the distribution of invite early the various ministries will do everything possible in ensuring their states are represented”.
“The competition is getting bigger every year and the Organising Committee is doing everything possible to ensure that this year’s event is a huge success.
