NAN-S-3
Para-badminton
Lagos, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Para-Badminton Federation on Tuesday said that preparations were in top gear for the third edition of its national championships holding in Umuahia in Abia.
The federation’s President, Samuel Ekeoma, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the event, tagged “Mrs Nkechinyereugo Ikpeazu Championships’’ would hold from Dec. 1 to Dec. 3.
Ekeoma said that 16 states were expected to participate in the championships.
“This year’s edition will be bigger than the previous two editions because of the commitment and support toward it.
“A committee has been inaugurated to put necessary logistics in place and ensure hitch-free championships for all participants.
“The Abia Government also promised to support the championships to encourage physically challenged athletes,’’ he said.
He added that the competition would be use to select athletes that would represent the country at the 2017 International Para-Badminton Championship in April in Spain.
The president noted that para-badminton could also produce more medals for the country at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games if given adequate attention.
NAN reports that the country won a total of 12 medals comprising eight gold, two silver and two bronze medals at the Rio 2016 Paralympics in Brazil.
“We did very well in the last Paralympics in Rio but there is always room for improvement.
“Para-badminton is also part of the International Paralympics Committee; the country can also win medals in the sport in the Tokyo 2020 Tokyo Games,’’ he said. (NAN)
KOA/PDE
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(Edited by Peter Ejiofor)