Sports chairman commends Abia’s ‘adopt-a-sport’ policy, urges states to emulate

The National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman, Shehu Dikko, has applauded Abia State’s Adopt-a-Sport policy, citing its commitment to para-badminton as a model for other states to emulate.

According to a statement by the NSC’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Kehinde Ajayi, Dikko gave the commendation when he hosted the Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Nwaobilor Ananaba, and the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, in Abuja.

The delegation had visited to brief him on preparations for the forthcoming para-badminton championships in Umuahia.

Ajayi stated that the first Abia Para-Badminton International Championships will hold from September 30 to October 5, 2025, while the All-African Para-Badminton Championships is scheduled for October 6 to 12, 2025.

The statement quotes Dikko saying:

“This clearly aligns with our vision to host as many international tournaments as possible. Whatever we can do to facilitate this, we will do. You can be rest assured of our support.

“We advocate that all states can adopt a particular sport like Abia, and keep promoting and investing in it. This will make our work easier. So, we will use this model to talk to other governors.”

The visit also featured the presentation of Nigerian para-badminton star Eniola Bolaji, who won four international championships this year.

Dikko applauded her achievement and confirmed that she has been listed in Category A of the Athletes’ grants for the last quarter.

Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Ananaba, disclosed that 16 countries have indicated interest to participate in the international championships, while 15 countries have registered for the African event.