Team Imo emerged as overall champions of the 2026 Bet9ja Southeast Zonal Badminton Championship after amassing eight medals at the three-day competition held in Awka, Anambra State, over the weekend.

Imo finished top of the medal table with three gold, four silver and one bronze medal, outperforming four other southeastern states in the championship designed to discover, nurture and showcase emerging badminton talents in the region.

Enugu State finished second with three gold, two silver and four bronze medals, while host state Anambra occupied third position with two gold, three silver and two bronze medals.

Abia finished fourth with two gold, two silver and two bronze medals, while Ebonyi completed the standings with one silver and one bronze medal.

The competition attracted some of the finest players, coaches and officials from the five southeastern states, providing a platform for emerging talents and established players to demonstrate their abilities.

In the individual events, Anambra’s Jovita Anikwe and Imo’s Queen Sunday successfully retained their men’s and women’s singles titles, respectively.

Anikwe also combined with Onwe to secure gold for Anambra in the men’s doubles event.

Enugu State dominated the women’s doubles category, with Uju Eneh and Chinyere Okoro claiming the gold medal, while Imo’s Emeka Uzoukwu and Queen Sunday emerged champions in the mixed doubles after overcoming all their opponents.

The para-badminton events also provided exciting moments, with experienced Nnana Jeremiah winning the men’s para-standing category for Abia State.

Chinyere Okoro of Enugu claimed gold in the women’s para-standing event following an impressive display.

In the wheelchair events, Imo’s Victor Qzurumba secured the men’s gold after defeating Emmanuel Ohaeri of Abia, ranked Africa’s second-best player in the category.

Abia, however, had something to celebrate in the women’s wheelchair event, where Ijeoma Gift emerged champion.

The veterans’ doubles category added further colour to the championship, with Reverend Father Johnson and Godwin combining to emerge victorious.

At the conclusion of the competition, winners across the various categories and outstanding individual performers received trophies, medals, cash prizes and badminton equipment in recognition of their achievements.

The championship, sponsored by Bet9ja, provided another opportunity to strengthen the development of badminton in the Southeast while exposing promising players to competitive action and encouraging the growth of the sport across the region.

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