NIGERIAN AIR FORCE COMMENCES HEADQUARTERS INTER-BRANCH SPORTS COMPETITION.{PHOTOS}.#PRESS RELEASE.

     As part of its continued efforts at promoting physical fitness amongst its personnel to enable them effectively perform their duties, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on the 12 September 2018, commenced the maiden edition of the Headquarters Inter-Branch Sports Competition for personnel serving in Abuja. The competition, which is an initiative of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, is also aimed at reinvigorating sports activities and encouraging participation in sports for improved physical health and mental alertness. The competition, which would be holding on monthly basis at NAF Base, Bill Clinton Drive Abuja, would further foster espirit-de-corps as well as identify talents to represent the NAF in future championships at Service and national levels. The 10 HQ NAF Staff Branches and NAF units in Abuja have been structured into 4 teams to allow for administrative effectiveness. The teams are to compete in various events, including; athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, football, golf, handball, judo, squash and swimming. Others are table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, tug of war, volleyball as well as wrestling.

While speaking during the opening ceremony, the CAS noted that the NAF places high premium on physical and mental fitness, and would continue to ensure its personnel engage in sporting activities in order to retain the agility required of a fighting force. Air Marshal Abubakar, who expressed satisfaction with the large turnout of personnel, commended them for their participation and urged them to sustain the military culture of regular exercise for effective and efficient service delivery. The CAS also commended the Chief of Administration NAF Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Kingsley Lar, for organizing the competition and ensuring that Wednesday Games are revived to further enhance the battle readiness of personnel.

The competition is also expected to be replicated in all NAF units across the country. Aside the monthly Inter-Branch and units competition, other fitness activities NAF personnel engage in include the quarterly route march exercise, 10km walk/jog, Wednesday games and combat sports competition.

IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA

Air Commodore

Director of Public Relations and Information   

Nigerian Air Force

More photos below.