AS Nigeria prepares to participate in the upcoming Uganda International Para-Badminton Championships and the BWF Para-Badminton Africa Championships, the Abia State Government has pledged to support the athletes, an official has said.

Samuel Ekeoma, National Coordinator of the Para-Badminton Federation of Nigeria, told NAN on Wednesday in Lagos that the gesture was a morale booster for athletes that would represent the country.

NAN reports that both competitions will hold from April 24 to May 5 in Kampala, Uganda.

The athletes to represent the country at the competitions are drawn from, Abia, Imo, Kwara, Delta, Kaduna and Plateau.

“The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, has made a positive commitment to ensure Nigeria’s participation in the forthcoming international championships in Kampala.

“The governor’s intention was disclosed to the federation by the Abia Commissioner for Sports, so we will be registering no fewer than 10 athletes.

“We are grateful to the governor and his wife for sponsoring the annual Para-Badminton Championships in the country,’’ he said.

Ekeoma urged other individuals and state governments to emulate Abia in order to increase the country’s participation in the championships.

NAN reports that Nigeria’s Bello Oyebanji won two bronze medals at the maiden Uganda International Championships in 2017. (NAN)

– Mar. 7, 2018 @ 15:20 GMT |