After 21 years of the first Edition of Africa Military Games which was held in Kenya hosted by his Excellency, President Daniel arap Moi (late) with 32 countries and over 1562 Atlhletes and 11 sports events, Nigeria is set to host the second edition tagged 'Abuja 2024'.
Inaugurating the local organising committee for the Second edition of the Africa Military Games Abuja on Thursday 16 March 2023, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor said, Sport is known to be a tool not only for physical but for social interaction and to enhance unity amongst people.
The CDS who was ably represented by the Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Maj.-Gen. Solomon Udounwa noted that "It is even more important for us in the armed Forces because the nature of our job requires that we maintain fitness at all times and also exchange experiences with other militarys' around the world and this is the only way we can improve on our military culture".
He stressed that the task ahead the local organizing committee is enormous, there will be resources in terms of the personnel in the committee, and there is no doubt that they are going to discharge their responsibility very well.
He urged the local organising committee for the Second edition of the Africa Military Games Abuja to be diligent and very thorough in thier planning, assuring them of the support of CDS and DHQ on the assignment given to them to be discharged with positive result.
In terms of consultation in cost of planning, the CDS advised the local organising committee to look beyond the military to other agencies of government to make sure that there is professionalism in their approaches, "so that we can have access to sporting facilities, hospitality facilities, to media etc. One of the key duties is to get that support from other agencies to make the game a success" he said.
The CDS thanked the Director Sport for planning the event, and very optimistic that 30 African countries are expected to participate and Nigeria is ready to receive international visitors which will naturally pull the nation in spotlight.
In his Remarks, the President, Organisation for Military Sport in Africa OSMA and Vice- President CISM, Major General Maikano Abdullahi expressed his happiness as Nigeria will be hosting the big Military Games. He said, Nigeria, is ready, willing and more capable to host the Africa Military Games, and to improve on what Kenya did in 2002, the first Edition 21 years ago.
General Abdullahi opined that hopefully Nigeria will host 15 to 20 sporting events as about 30 African countries will be participating in the coming games.
He thanked Nigeria on behalf of OSMA/CISM for hosting the 2nd Edition of Africa Military Games and promised to unveil the theme for the Game later.
SpyeTV News reports that, after the inauguration ceremony, a closed door meeting was held in order to present Road map for the success of the Africa Military Games Abuja 2024.
The Africa Military Games (French: Jeux Africains Militaires) is a multi-sport event for military athletes in Africa. The event was held under the auspices of the International Military Sports Council (CISM) and, its sister group, the Organization of Military Sport in Africa (OSMA). The games was hosted by Kenya in and around Nairobi between 17–27 April 2002.
