1 Division Nigerian Army Kaduna State has emerged the overall winner of the 2023 Nigerian Army Inter Formations Combat Sports and Swimming Championship.
The weeklong competition, which held at the Nigerian Defence Academy Sports Complex, Rabidu Cantonment Kaduna from 23-28 July 2023 had participants/athletes drawn from 1 Division, 2 Division, 3 Division, 6 Division, 8 Division, 81 Division, 82 Division as well as the Army Headquarters Garrison.
1 Division Kaduna topped the table with eight gold and eight silver followed by Army Headquarters Garrison with six gold and 81 Division which came third with four gold medals respectively.
The fourth position went to 6 Division with one gold and four silver while 2 Division came fifth position with one gold and two silver. Similarly, 3 Division came sixth position with three silver; 8 Division 7th position and finally 82 Division trailed in 8th position. The athletes competed in boxing, wrestling and combat swimming.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Major General Taoreed Lagbaja represented by the Commandant Nigerian Defence Academy Major General JO Ochai emphasized the need for continuous training of troops to be able to surmount the myriads of security challenges bedeviling the nation.
He stressed that the 2023 Nigerian Army Inter Formations Combat Sports and Swimming Championship was aimed at making the troops combat ready at all times.
“I am aware that the Combat Swimming, Boxing and Wrestling bouts were keenly contested. The final bout of boxing and wrestling, which I witnessed this afternoon, has proven to me that the report of your performance during the earlier activities of this Championship was fair, accurate and realistic.”
The COAS commended the Chief of Training (Army) Major General SG Mohammed for organizing the competition just as he recognised the tireless efforts of the Acting Director Physical Training Brigadier General AR Bello and his ever ready instructors who continue to set new standards in improving fitness in the Nigerian Army as well as adhering to prescribed standards. He congratulated the participants for good performance and discipline throughout the Championship.
The COAS added that the lessons learnt from the Championship will be circulated to all formations so as to guide them to improve their performance in future events and in the conduct of operations.
The Army Chief stressed that in every competition, there will be winners and losers as he congratulated the winners advised them to be magnanimous in victory and urged the other formations that didn’t win to put in more efforts in subsequent championship.
