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Abia Government Pledges To Sponsor Para Badminton Athletes For 2024 Paralympic Games In Paris
Governor Alex Otti, OFR led Abia state government, has pledged to sponsor athletes of the state Para-badminton Association in the upcoming 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, a first of it’s kind.
This was made known by Mr Nwaobilor Ananaba, the Honourable commissioner for youths and sports in Abia state, represented by the director for information, Dr Ken Chikezie Anyiam, during a session with the athletes in Umuahia.
The Commissioner reassured of governor Alex Otti’s commitment to transform the sports sector, hence his sponsoring of the team in five international tournaments held in Egypt, Uganda, Thailand, Dubai and Japan where they won 9 gold medals, 3 silvers and 12 bronzes respectively.
He charged the athletes to continue working hard, assuring that they will get all the needed support from the government.
In his address earlier, the President of the association, Samuel Ekeoma described the athletes as conquerors who have made name for Nigeria.
“They have paid the price for Nigeria. They are the best team in Nigeria and Africa ” he eulogised.
He regretted that for years, the association have been struggling to ensure that para badminton is promoted in Abia, Nigeria and the rest of Africa.
He described governor Alex Otti as a promoter of sports, noting that he has been sponsoring the team since his assumption of office.
“They have been in Egypt, Uganda, Thailand, Dubai, and Japan. All these efforts is from the Abia state governor, Dr Alex Otti, representing Nigeria” he revealed.
He added that before the emergence of Otti, Nigerian para badminton athletes have been out of international tournaments owing to lack of sponsorship , however Otti knowing that Abians are involved, has helped in pushing them back to the world ranking list of the para badminton federation.
In their thank you message, the athletes, represented by Jerry Nnanna, appreciated the state government for sponsoring their international tournaments.
