ABEOKUTA, Nigeria – Taraba State has emerged as a dominant force in wheelchair basketball, winning both the male and female categories at the 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball National Open Championship held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The three-day championship, which took place at the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, featured top paralympic athletes from across Nigeria. Taraba’s teams secured victories in both finals, with the male team defeating Oyo State 12–6 and the female team edging Delta State 5–4.
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The success of Taraba’s teams has been attributed to the leadership of Governor Agbu Kefas, who has prioritized inclusive sports and youth empowerment in the state. His administration has increased support for athletic programs, promoted equality in sports, and invested in grassroots development.
Governor Kefas stated that the victories reflect the resilience of the athletes and the government’s investment in inclusive development.
Emmanuel Bello, the Governor’s special adviser on media and digital communication, highlighted the commitment to ensuring that all residents of Taraba State, regardless of physical ability, have access to opportunities and representation.
Although Taraba narrowly missed gold in the mixed doubles event, losing to Lagos State 4–3, the state’s presence in all finals demonstrated its strong performance throughout the competition.
Mr. Seyi Johnson, President of the Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation, praised Taraba for its remarkable showing, calling it “a statement of inclusion, resilience, and leadership.”
Mr. Sunday Odebode, President of the Paralympic Committee, noted that the event served as a warm-up for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and applauded the improvements in player performance and organization.
The athletes expressed their gratitude to Governor Kefas for creating a sports environment that values everyone, regardless of physical challenges.
