All is set for Nigeria to host the second edition of the Africa Military Games in Abuja.
While inaugurating the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the gaming event today, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, noted that sports was a known tool not only for physical but for social interaction, and to enhance unity amongst people.
The CDS who was ably represented by the Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Maj.-Gen. Solomon Udounwa, further noted that, “It is even more important for us in the armed Forces because the nature of our job requires that we maintain fitness at all times and also exchange experiences with other militaries around the world and this is the only way we can improve on our military culture”.
He stressed that although the task ahead for the local organizing committee was enormous, there would be resources available in terms of the personnel in the Committee, and as such there was no doubt that they would discharge their responsibility very well.
He urged the LOC for the event to be diligent and very thorough in thier planning, assuring them of the support of the CDS and the DHQ on the assignment given to them to be discharged with positive result.
Regarding consultation on cost of planning, the CDS advised the LOC to look beyond the military to other agencies of government to make sure that there was professionalism in their approaches, “so that we can have access to sporting facilities, hospitality facilities, to the media, etc. One of the key duties is to get that support from other agencies to make the game a success”, he emphasized.
The CDS thanked the Director Sport for planning the event, expressing high hopes that the country was ready to receive the 30 African countries expected to participate, as well as other international visitors, which would naturally put the nation in the spotlight.
In his Remarks, the President, Organisation for Military Sport in Africa OSMA and Vice- President CISM, Major General Maikano Abdullahi, expressed his pleasure that Nigeria would be hosting the big Military Games, adding that the country was ready, willing and more capable to host the Africa Military Games, and to improve on what Kenya did in 2002, during the first edition.
He opined that hopefully, Nigeria would host 15 to 20 sporting events as about 30 African countries would be participating in the coming games.
The Africa Military Games (Jeux Africains Militaires, in French), is a multi-sport event for military athletes in Africa. Its first edition was held under the auspices of the International Military Sports Council (CISM) and, its sister group, the Organization of Military Sport in Africa (OSMA), and hosted by Kenya’s President, late Daniel arap Moi, in and around Nairobi, between 17–27 April, 2002. In the event, 32 countries and over 1,562 atlhletes participated in 11 sporting events.
After 21 years, Nigeria is set to host the second edition tagged ‘Abuja 2024’.
