Inter-Service Sports Competition: Nigerian Army secures first position

The Nigerian Army team has won seven gold and two silver medals in the just concluded 2022 Armed Forces Inter-Service Sports Competition.

The Army secured the first position having won the highest number of laurels in different games of the competition.

The three services, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force competed in five sports – Basketball, Cross-Country, Taekwondo and Volleyball in men’s and women’s categories but only men competed in football.

The army teams won gold medals in basketball (female), cross-country (male and female), volleyball (male and female) and taekwondo (male and female) as well as silver medals in basketball (male) and football (male).

Also; the Nigerian Air Force won gold medals in basketball (male) and football (male) with three silva and four bronze medals while the Navy won four silva and five bronze medals.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi commended the outstanding performances displayed by the athletes.

Represented by the Director, Army Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Mr Sunday Attach, the minister said the competition had engendered unity and comradeship among the competing services personnel.

He said the objective of fostering a good working relationship between the services had been achieved notwithstanding the physical and mental fatigue that the championship might have exerted on the athletes.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor said the competition was designed to sharpen the physical fitness, mental alertness and skills of the military personnel essential for combat readiness in the light of current security imperatives.

Represented by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, Irabor said the competition also provided an opportunity for participating teams from the three services to compete for laurels and display camaraderie and team spirit.

According to him, the level of sportsmanship exhibited during this competition further gives credence to the premium placed on sports by the AFN and efforts towards enhancing the combat readiness of its personnel.

He said the armed forces had continued to evolve joint training with emphasis placed on physical training and sports in general.

(NAN)

Inter-Service Sports Competition: Nigerian Army secures first position