By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, said that sports provide a basis for teamwork and synergy needed for troops to be able to function with the necessary cohesion during peacetime military engagements and combat operations.
He also noted that warfare is a gruelling experience, and the ability to advance long distances with full combat gear through rugged terrains and fight effectively requires strength, agility and stamina from troops, stressing that this can only be conditioned through combat sports and rigorous physical fitness training.
Air Marshal Abubakar said this while declaring open the Nigerian Air Force Combat Sports Event, which is one of the key activities lined up to mark the NAF’s Sixtieth Anniversary Celebration,
at the Sporting Arena of NAS Base, Asokoro, Abuja.
The CAS said that active participation in combat sports helps to provide both physiological and psychological benefits that reduce stress, illness and injuries, especially during operations.
“Accordingly, physical fitness and mental alertness of personnel have become key considerations for the armed forces to meet the increasing demands of current and emerging threats. In light of these benefits, the Nigerian Air Force has continued to prioritize the participation of our personnel in sporting activities. Accordingly, we are sustaining efforts to enhance the standard and quality of sports and sporting facilities in our Bases to improve the overall health, well-being and morale of our personnel,” he said.
Air Marshal Abubakar explained that the sports activities comprise a rich mix of combat sports including combat relay races, casualty evacuation race, tug of war, archery and invitation races amongst others.
I am aware that the athletes have trained hard and long in preparation for this event. I must say that, besides the competitive drive, the event is also intended to bridge relationships and provide good entertainment to everyone. It is in this light that we extend the spirit of “Friendship Through Sport” to friendly air forces, sister agencies, partner organizations and the larger society.
The CAS urged the athletes to compete in the spirit of sportsmanship, be magnanimous in victory and be gracious in defeat.
“Strive for glory, but by all means, develop your abilities and learn something new. To the officials and referees, please be fair and guide all equitably. I would like to conclude my remarks with a quote by the renowned philosopher, Plato, which I consider apt for this occasion; “You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” Let this session, therefore, be a time of revel, discovery and true fellowship through sportsmanship,” he concluded.
The Special Guest of Honour, and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, said that the sporting event, which was designed to sharpen the physical fitness, mental alertness and skills of Air Force personnel, is essential for combat readiness in the light of current security challenges.
He said: “The level of sportsmanship exhibited and the display of camaraderie during this keenly contested activities further gives credence to the premium place on sports by the armed forces of Nigeria and its efforts towards enhancing the combat readiness of personnel”.
The Nigerian Air Force, he said, places high premium on sporting activities through avenues such as the annual ten kilometer work, drug route matches, annual fitness test program and the just concluded combat sports.
The headquarters NAF contingent emerged the overall winner of the combat sports events, while the Ground Training Command and Logistics Command came second and third respectively.
The sporting event and parade of honour which, took place under heavy down pour, saw the various contingents of NAF Commands as participants – Tactical Air Command, Ground Training Command, Air Training Command, Special Operations Command, Logistics Command, Mobility Command and NAF Headquarters team.
