As the curtain prepares to fall on the Abia National Open Para-Badminton Championship, athletes participating in the weeklong competition have praised the organisers and host state for delivering a world-class experience ahead of today’s grand finale at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.

Top players, including 23-year-old Olympian Nnanna Jeremiah, who represents Abia State in the SL4 Men’s Singles and Doubles events, commended the championship for meeting international standards.

Speaking to sports journalists, the multiple award-winning and Africa’s top-ranked SL4 player described the tournament as “a valuable and high-quality platform” for athletes preparing for upcoming international competitions.

“I’m physically and mentally ready for my final match,” said Jeremiah. “The level of competition and the standard of facilities are impressive.

“I appreciate the Local Organizing Committee and fellow competitors for providing this opportunity to sharpen our game ahead of global events.”

Also sharing their experiences were 16-year-old debutant Japhet Unana and Mary Nathan, both representing Plateau State in the SL4 Men’s Singles and WH1 Women’s Singles, respectively.

They praised the organisers for a smooth and inclusive tournament, especially highlighting the availability of wheelchair-accessible ramps, toilets, and seating.

“It’s one of the few events where I didn’t struggle with access,” said Unana. “Everything was properly planned — from logistics to the quality of the courts.”

In the competition so far, several champions have emerged. Leading the medal chart is world number three para-badminton star Eniola Bolaji Mariam of Kwara State, who clinched gold in the Women’s Singles SL3.

Oriemezie Joy of Imo State took silver, while Odilaka Uwalaka (Abia) and Anna Nyam (Plateau) shared bronze.

In the Women’s Doubles SL3, Joy Ozioma (Rivers) and Oriemezie Joy (Imo) teamed up to win gold.

Duru Goodness Chinasa and Ogechi Onyenso, both from Imo, earned silver, while Amarachi Precious Eziuka and Blessing Iroanya of Abia picked up bronze.

More winners from the final matches are expected to be confirmed ahead of the official closing ceremony, scheduled to begin by 1:00 p.m. today, Thursday, July 17, 2025.

Officials from the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), led by President Francis Orbih, have already arrived in Umuahia for the occasion.

According to the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, will personally attend the ceremony, present medals and prizes, and officially declare the championship closed.

The Abia Para-Badminton Championship continues to set new benchmarks for inclusive sports development in Nigeria.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Nigeria’s top-ranked para-badminton star, Eniola Bolaji Mariam of Kwara State, reaffirmed her dominance with a flawless performance in the Women’s Singles SL3 category at the 5th Abia National Open Para Badminton Championship, held at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia.

Over two days of intense round-robin action, Bolaji lived up to her billing as the undisputed queen of the SL3 class, winning all four of her matches without dropping a single game and conceding just 15 points across eight games—a near-perfect record that underscored her superiority.

Eniola Bolaji Mariam of Kwara State remains invincible

She opened her campaign in ruthless fashion, whitewashing Oriemezie Joy of Imo State 21–0, 21–4. She followed up with an equally commanding 21–1, 21–2 victory over Anna Nyam of Plateau State.

 Her dominance continued with a 21–2, 21–5 win over home favourite Odinaka Uwalaka of Abia State, before wrapping up her campaign by brushing aside Blessing Iroanya, also of Abia, 21–2, 21–1.

Despite her loss to Bolaji, Imo State’s Oriemezie Joy emerged as a standout performer in her own right, finishing second in the group.

Joy displayed grit and experience, posting three wins from four matches. She began with a confident 21–8, 21–1 win over Iroanya and followed up with a solid 21–11, 21–10 triumph over Anna Nyam.

In a tightly contested match against Uwalaka, Joy held her nerve to secure a 21–17, 21–14 victory that guaranteed her the runner-up spot.

Abia State’s Odinaka Uwalaka delivered a mixed bag of results. She opened with a narrow three-game loss to Joy (18–21, 21–15, 15–21) and was overwhelmed by Bolaji, but rebounded with convincing wins over Iroanya (21–6, 21–9) and Nyam (21–17, 21–14), finishing third overall.

Anna Nyam endured a difficult outing, managing just one win—a hard-fought contest against Iroanya—to finish fourth.

Meanwhile, Blessing Iroanya, despite her spirited efforts and crowd support, ended her campaign winless, but with valuable experience from each match.

The 5th edition of the Abia National Open Para Badminton Championship continues to highlight the growing depth and competitiveness in Nigeria’s para-badminton scene.

 As the curtains begin to draw on this year’s event, Eniola Bolaji’s dominance remains the gold standard, setting the pace for aspiring stars across the nation.

 Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

The Indoor Sports Hall of the Ondo State Sports Commission in Akure hosted a three-day Shuttle Time Teachers Course from June 26th to 28th, 2025, drawing participants from 17 schools across the state in a bid to expand grassroots badminton development.

The course kicked off at 12:30 p.m. on a rainy Thursday, with an initial attendance of 17 teachers, one coach, and 56 students. By the second day, participation grew to include three coaches and 72 students, bringing the total number of attendees to 92.

Facilitators guided the teachers through the structured Shuttle Time curriculum, which includes a Teachers’ Manual, Lesson Plans, and instructional video clips—resources developed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and accessible both in print and online through the BWF website and the Shuttle Time App.

Participants were introduced to the four key learning phases:

• “Starters Lesson” (Lessons 1–10): Basic front court activities and skills
• “Swing and Throw” (Lessons 11–12): Transition to mid-court
• “Throw and Hit” (Lessons 13–18): Rear court development
• “Learn to Win” (Lessons 19–22): Introduction to tactical gameplay

The course was hands-on, with teachers assessed on their delivery by engaging students directly. Students, in turn, provided feedback on what they had learned, with only minimal corrections required—an indication of the teachers’ grasp of the training.

On the final day, the remaining modules were completed, with both teachers and students actively participating in practical sessions.

Each participating school received a badminton starter kit comprising four rackets, a net, and four shuttlecocks to help implement the sport in their respective institutions. Participants were also kitted in branded Shuttle Time Nigeria T-shirts and treated to meals and refreshments throughout the programme.

Among dignitaries present at the event were the General Manager of the Ondo State Sports Council and the Chairman of the Ondo State Badminton Association, Chief Olu Adekunle Ajanaku.

In his remarks, Chief Ajanaku pledged to expand the Shuttle Time Teachers Course to all local government areas in the state and promised to organize a zonal U-15 badminton championship before year’s end.

The event marked a milestone, being the first time that branded Shuttle Time Nigeria T-shirts were worn by all categories of participants, including students, teachers, and games masters and mistresses.

Gratitude was extended to the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), its President, Francis Orbih, and Mrs. Oby Solaja for their support and approval of the course.

Special appreciation was also given to the Community Sport and Educational Development (CSED) Initiative—BFN’s grassroots development partner—for donating the equipment distributed to schools.

Organisers described the course as a “huge success,” setting a strong foundation for the spread of badminton across schools in Ondo State.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H