By Leonard Okachie
Several Nigerian players including Paralympic bronze medallist, Eniola Bolaji, have qualified for the finals of the ongoing Africa Para Badminton Championships at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Abia.
Bolaji, ranked second globally in the SL3 category by the Para World Badminton Federation, defeated his Camerounean counterpart, Danyele Mouafo 2-0 (21-4, 21-0) in the women’s singles SL3 semi-finals decided on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament which began on Oct. 7 will end on Oct. 12.
Bolaji and Chigozie Nnanna won their match against Prince Mamvumvu-Kidila (Congo Democratic) and Makeu Mouafo (Cameroun) 2-0(21-14, 21-8) in the mixed double SL SU5.
Both Bolaji and Nnanna won gold medals in their categories at the just-concluded First Abia Para Badminton International held between Sept. 30 and Oct. 5, at the same venue.
Nnanna who is ranked first in Africa in the SL4 class, also triumphed over Kenya’s Benson Mutiso 2-0 (21-5, 21-13) in the men’s singles SL4 category.
Similarly, Nigeria’s James Akpan beat Etienne Bidjoka of Cameroun 2-0(21-5, 21-5) in the men’s singles SL4, while Ifeanacho Ohaeri won against fellow Nigerian, Okechukwu Ibeabuchi 2-0(21-8, 21-8) in the men’s singles wheelchair 2 event.
Chukwuemeka Eze, Chinyere Okoro and Gift Chukwuemeka are among Nigerians that qualified for the finals that will be decided on Sunday.
In other semi-final matches, Egypt’s Shaimaa Abdellatif defeated Irene Nkwa of Cameroun 2-0(21-12, 21-17) in the women’s singles wheelchair 2 category.
Mohammed Ahmed, also of Egypt, beat Nigeria’s Nmeribe Okpulor 2-0(21-4, 21-1) in the men’s singles wheelchair 1, while Victor Ozurumba (Nigeria) lost to Mohammed Faraq of Egypt 0-2 (15-21, 6-21).
Tunisia’s Rima Abdelli and Omar Dakhi beat Emadeldin Adel of Egypt) and Mahoutin Nouatin of the Republic of Benin 2-1(21-18-21, 18-21-18).
In the men’s singles SU5, Prince Mamvumvu-Kidila of Congo Democratic won against Caleb Omolo of National Olympic Committee of Kenya 2-0 (21-11, 21-9).
Over 150 athletes from 12 countries are participating in 19 events at the championships.
The countries include Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Congo Democratic, Egypt, Mauritius, Mozambique, National Olympic Committee of Kenya, Rwanda, Tunisia, Zimbabwe and host Nigeria.
(NAN)
