Nigeria to host African military games for first time in November
Nigeria will for the first time host the African military games in November 2024, with 44 African countries competing for medals in 19 games.
The director of sports at Defence Headquarters and chairman of the organizing committee, Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquis, disclosed this at a press conference over the weekend in Kaduna.
AVM Marquis listed the sporting activities to be competed for in the Armed Forces Games 2024 to include basketball, lawn tennis, golf, track and field, combat swimming, obstacle crossing, taekwondo, kickboxing, volleyball, and archery among others.
He, however, announced plans to select athletes to represent the country at the Games, from September 23rd to 27th.
Read Also: Flood: Pan-African Parliament declares support for Nigerian victims, others
He noted that 1,600 athletes from various military formations across the country will compete in 19 sporting events during the games which will take place in various locations in Kaduna State.
The chairman said, the theme of the Armed Forces Games 2024, “Enhancing Military Professionalism through Sports,” reflects the objective of using the competition to improve physical fitness and team spirit among military personnel.
According to him, “The event will also serve as trials to pick the best athletes to represent Nigeria at the African Military Games,” he said.
AVM Marquis further stated that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) selected Kaduna to host the games as part of efforts to boost the local economy.
Venues like the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Murtala Square, and military facilities such as the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base will be used for the events.
