The Nigeria Para-Badminton Federation on Thursday said that the body would intensify its effort to spread the sport to more states in the country, in order to boost its profile.
Samuel Ekeoma, President of the federation, said in Lagos that the sport, which was relatively new in the country, had 11 state associations.
Ekeoma said that plans were on for the demonstration of the sport in five geo-political zones, to create awareness about the sport.
He noted that the sport was not included in the proposed Lagos State Disability Games, owing to the limited number of states participating in para-badminton.
“Our aim and target is to introduce para-badminton to more states and the only way we can achieve it is by taking the sport to the states.
“We had our first national championship last September in Abia State and it was a major eye opener for participants.
“If we can organise regular championships in all the geo-political zones in the country, it will attract more people to the sport and increase participation,’’ he noted.
The president, however, urged the Nigeria Paralympic Committee to fast-track the introduction of the body to the Ministry of Youths and Sports, for recognition as a federation.
He noted that the body was ready recognised by the International Paralympics Committee (IPC), after undergoing its formalities.
