By Olayemi Esan
The Nigerian Military on Tuesday, charged Nigerian Army Barracks Youths to remain positive and contributes their quota to the social development of the state and the nation at large.
The Theatre Commander (TC) Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) Major General Christopher Musa gave the charge while flagging off the maiden edition of the Theatre Commander's Ball Games tagged "Barrack Youths Tournament 2021" at Lieutenant Colonel BU Umar Sport Complex Maimalari Cantonment.
The Theatre Commander said that the games is to create an avenue for unification and building the future generations of the Nigerian Army Barracks.
He stated that the game will be used as an avenue to select good sports men and women who will represent the barracks community in future sporting activities in the state especially as peace is building up all over the North East.
Furthermore, he urged all the participating teams to see the tournament as a starting point.
" I want you to look at this as the opportunity to showcase yourself, play to protect yourself and play fairly to showcase the talent you have.
"We are looking forward to having a fantastic outing from all of you, we are hoping to have a team each from all the event that will represen this Cantonment in future sporting activities in the future",he said.
Major General Christopher Musa also call on the officiating officials to ensure they maintain absolute neutrality throughout the games.
Earlier in his welcome remarks the Acting Assisstant Director of Physical Training 7 Division Major Adebayo Oloruntoba said, the aim of the games is to foster unity amongst the youth, build their self-esteem and social interactions, to make them responsible, discipline and develop their sense of confidence as well as to discover their talents in various sports.
Major Oloruntoba further disclosed that the tournament comprised of 18 teams competing in the various events which includes football, volley ball and basketball respectively.
He also stated that the games is expected to last between 23 to 27 November, 2021 where the winners of the various games will be announced and awards presented to the deserving teams and officials he added.
Present at the flagging off were the Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Brigadier General AbdulWahab Eyitayo, Maritime Component Commander, Commodore RM Shammah, Theatre Intelligence Coordinator, Brigadier General ES Buba, Commander 107 Div Equipment Support, Brigadier General Babatunde Alaya, Chief J9 Captain (NN) SB Ayuba, Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Ado Isa and other Principal Staff Officers from Headquarters Theatre Command and 7 Division respectively.
