The National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko has challenged states to key into sports of comparative strength citing Abia state’s adoption of para-badminton as a benchmark.
Mallam Dikko spoke on Friday when he hosted Abia state commissioner for youth and sports development, Hon. Nwaobilor Ananaba, and President of 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 between October 6 to October 12.
He congratulated Abia state for boosting para-badminton over the years while developing the sporting facilities.
His words, “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 the country in general.”
He pledged the Commission’s support for the international para-badminton championships.
“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,” he added.
Mallam Dikko highlighted the need for states to develop sports where they have comparative advantage.
“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”, he noted.
The NSC Chairman also applauded Eniola Bolaji, a paralympian who featured in four international championships 2025 so far and won all.
While congratulating Bolaji for her achievements on the global stage, the Chairman said the Commission has signed off the Athletes’ grants for the last quarter of 2025 with Bolaji in category A on the list.
Speaking earlier, the Abia state youth and sports commissioner, Hon. Ananaba said he was at the commission to formally intimate the chairman on the hosting of two landmark sporting events.
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.
In addition, the President of Badminton Federation Nigeria (BFN), Mr. Orbih while presenting Bolaji officially to the leadership of NSC, pointed out that 16 countries have indicated interest to participate in the international para-badminton championships, and 15 countries for the African championships that will take place in Umuahia
The highpoint of the visit was the presentation of the African Women Award in Sports to Eniola Bolaji by the NSC Chairman.