Nigerian Military Excels at International Sporting Events
Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) sports contingent have made the nation proud as they emerged winners of the recently concluded Military Skills Competition in Potchefstroom, South Africa, as well as clinching the third position at the maiden edition of the International Military Sports Council – West African Liaison Office (CISM – WALO) Boxing Championship held in Conakry, Guinea.
In the Military Skills Competition held in South Africa, the AFN participants comprising male and female personnel from the Nigerian Army, Navy and the Airforce bagged a total of 6 Gold, 4 Silver and one Bronze medals. The team also carted away the award for best participating Country at the event.
During the military sporting events, the AFN emerged first, second and third positions in both the male and female categories of the 8 km Combat race. In the Obstacle Crossing event, the team also emerged 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions, while in Combat swimming (Male category), the team took the 1st and 3rd positions, as well as 1st and 2nd positions in the female category.
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To clinch the 3rd position, queuing behind Guinea and Cote D’Ivoire teams who emerged first and second positions, the AFN Boxing team won a total of 6 Silver and 4 bronze medals at the WALO – CISM Boxing championship in Guinea Conakry.
Receiving the AFN contingent at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin lauded the athletes for emerging overall winner and third best team in both the Military Skills Competition and the CISM – WALO Boxing Championship respectively.
The CDS commended the team for their outstanding performance and conduct at the international event, describing them as worthy ambassadors of the AFN and the nation.
The AFN under the current leadership have leveraged on sporting activities as a veritable tool and rallying point to foster unity and synergy among security agencies in Nigeria and the ECOWAS region, in an effort to foster peace and security in Nigeria and the west African Sub region. Notable among the sporting events so far organised and sponsored by the DHQ are the Chief of Defence Staff, Armed Forces and Security Agencies Half Marathon Championship, the CISM Day Run and Security Agencies Route Match.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Colonel
Acting Director Defence Information
