Kaduna – The maiden Inter Command Combat Sports Competition of the Nigeria Air Force begins on Monday in Kaduna with 500 athletes participating.
The event, which drew participants from all Air Force Commands and sister agencies was declared open by the Minister of Defence, Mansur Danali.
The minister, who was represented by Mrs Osai Sai, a Director in the ministry, said that the event was a celebration of the successes recorded by the military against Boko Haram and an opportunity to assess the combat readiness of the personnel.
“The timing of this event is apt as it affords NAF the opportunity to assess the physical and combat readiness of its personnel with a view to making some adjustments and changes where necessary.
“Even more important is the fact that an event of this nature is being organised at a time the NAF and its sister services are making meaningful gains against the Boko Haram insurgents in the North Eastern part of Nigeria.
“No doubt all Nigerians are appreciative of the efforts of our armed forces against terrorism and other societal ills,” Danali said.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
Chief of Air staff, Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar also said the event would “test the physical and mental readiness of personnel to test the challenges of combat situations.”
“I am confident that entrenching this form of sports at all levels in the NAF would make us more effective in discharging our constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, soldiers approach to fitness at all times must centred on the concept of “total fitness for war”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the athletes would compete in Boxing, Taekwondo, Shooting, Combat Relay, Obstacle Crossing, and Combat Swimming.
The athletes were drawn from Kaduna, Makurdi, Bayelsa and Lagos Commands of the Air Force, as well as the Air Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The competition will end on Wednesday, March 23.(NAN)