National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, on Saturday, challenged states to invest in sports where they enjoy comparative strength, citing Abia State’s adoption of para-badminton as a benchmark for others to follow.

Dikko disclosed this in Abuja, while receiving the Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Nwaobilor Ananaba, and the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Mr. Francis Orbih, who visited to brief him on preparations for the forthcoming para-badminton championships slated for Abia State.

The first Abia Para-Badminton International Championships is slated for September 30 to October 5, 2025, while the All-African Para-Badminton Championships holds from October 6 to 12.

In a statement by the NSC Director of Information & PR, Dr. Kehinde Ajayi, commended Abia State for its consistent investment in para-badminton and the development of sporting facilities.

He said, “I must congratulate you on what Abia State is doing. We were together yesterday in a very beautiful and exciting event, which broke the ceiling and set the path for others.

“That is a benchmark that we can tell other states to adopt. I had to visit the governor recently to thank him and also to see how we can make sports better, not just in the state alone, but in the country in general.
“This clearly aligns with our vision to host as many international tournaments as possible. Whatever we can do to facilitate this, we will do it. You can be rest assured of our support.”

He pledged the commission’s support for the international para-badminton championships.

Dikko emphasised the need for states to develop niche areas in sports.
He added, “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 NSC chairman also applauded Eniola Bolaji, a Paralympian who featured in four international championships this year and won all. While congratulating Bolaji for her achievement on the global stage, the chairman said the commission has signed off on the athletes’ grants for the last quarter, with Bolaji in category A on the list.

Speaking earlier, the Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Ananaba, stated that he was in the commission to formally inform the chairman of the hosting of two landmark sporting events in Abia State.

He stated that over the past decade, Abia State has invested in the development of para-badminton as part of the state’s broader agenda of inclusion through sports.

Similarly, the President of Badminton Federation Nigeria (BFN), Mr. Orbih, while presenting Eniola Bolaji officially to the leadership of NSC, pointed out that 16 countries have indicated interest in participating in the international para badminton championships, and 15 countries for the African championships that will take place in Umuahia.

The highlight of the visit was the presentation of the African Women’s Award in Sports to Eniola Bolaji by the NSC chairman.