Edo shines, secure three gold at West Africa deaf athletics championship

Abuja – Team Edo deaf athletes have been lauded for their stellar performance at the recently concluded West Africa Deaf Athletics Championship in Abuja, where they clinched three gold and four silver medals, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s total haul of six gold medals.

The championship, held to mark the 50th Anniversary of ECOWAS, showcased top deaf athletes from across the West African sub-region in a fiercely competitive event.

Hon. Amadin Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, hailed the athletes’ achievements as a source of pride for both Edo State and Nigeria.

In a statement released on Friday through his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele singled out Deborah Ighawuanre for her exceptional feat of winning two gold medals in the female category.

He also praised Victory Odokara for securing gold in the women’s 400m event, Okpaise Nathaniel Junior for earning two silver medals in the men’s category, and Assurance Omoria for claiming silver in both the 100m and 400m events.

“This remarkable performance underscores the impact of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s commitment to grassroots sports development in Edo State,” Enabulele said, attributing the team’s success to targeted investments by the state government.

He expressed confidence that the athletes’ victories would propel them to even greater heights in future competitions.

Adding to the pride, Enabulele announced that four of the seven athletes selected to represent Nigeria at the Deaf Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, in November 2025 are from Edo State, cementing the state’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s deaf sports landscape.

The West Africa Deaf Athletics Championship highlighted the talent and determination of deaf athletes across the region, with Team Edo’s outstanding contributions reinforcing Nigeria’s dominance in the event.

As the nation celebrates this triumph, all eyes are now on the selected athletes as they prepare to represent Nigeria on the global stage at the Deaf Olympics.