TEAM Nigeria finished on top of the table at the 2025 Africa Para Badminton Championships in Umuahia, Abia State with 36 medals, including 10 gold, 13 silver and 13 bronze, as the competition ended last night.
Kenya came in second with 11 medals, comprising four gold, two silver and five bronze medals, at the competition hosted at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.
Egypt rounded off the top three with eight medals, including three gold, one silver and four bronze.
Republic of Benin came fourth with one gold, two silver and two bronze, while Congo Democratic Republic finished fifth with one gold and two bronze.
Tunisia occupied the sixth position with one silver and one bronze, with Cameroun garnering six bronze for the seventh position.
Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, and Rwanda completed the top 10 with two bronze each as Mauritius secured one bronze medal.
Only Mozambique failed to win any medal among the 12 countries that participated in 19 events of the tournament that started last Tuesday.
Meanwhile, African queen of para badminton, Eniola Bolaji, Chigozie Nnanna, Chukwuemeka Eze, Ijeoma Chukwuemeka, Mary Nathan, Chinyere Okoro, Munkwoba Gomanand Bello Tukur were among Nigeria’s gold medalists.
The trio of Bolaji, Nnanna and Nathan had won gold medals in their categories at the just-concluded First Abia Para Badminton International held between September 30 and October 5 at the same venue.
Also, Odinachi Uwalaka, Obinna Nwosu, Ifeanacho Ohaeri, Ebikoboere Brown, Abel David, James Akpan and Nendimwa Monday and others won silver for Nigeria yesterday.
In a speech at the closing ceremony, Governor Alex Otti of Abia extended warm congratulations and gratitude to all the athletes, officials and delegation, and described the event as an extraordinary celebration of resilience and unity.
Otti, represented by Nwaobilor Ananaba, Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, said that the experience has been a priceless classroom for Nigeria.
“We have learned, improved and been inspired,” he said.
“And let me assure you – Abia will bid to host again, and when we do, we will offer an experience that will far surpass this pioneering effort.”
In a goodwill message, President Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, said that the para athletes had demonstrated that sport is a powerful expression of ability, resilience and human dignity.
He thanked the Badminton World Federation and Badminton Confederation of Africa for their guidance, presence and unrelenting commitment to the advancement of para badminton in Africa.