... As the CDS Half Marathon Race is to be held on Nov 25, 2023
... OSMA General Assembly to be held in February 2024
In a bid to allow African countries to interact with one another towards enhancing the good historical collaborative efforts and working relationships built, and enjoyed over the years, a total number of 42 countries will be participating in the 2nd Edition of African Military Games, Abuja 2024.
The African Military Games is a multi-sport event that was held just once, in 2002. The first-ever African Military Games, with the support of the Conseil Internationale du Sport Militaire, CISM were held in April 2002 in Nairobi, Kenya. Tunisia was asked to host the 2006 African Military Games, but it never took place.
Director of Sport, Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Timothy Marquiz disclosed during a media conference, today, 5th September 2023 organised to introduce the forthcoming African Military Games, Chief of Defence Staff, CDS Half Marathon Race and the General Assembly of OSMA which will take place in February, 2024.
Air Vice Marshal Marquiz said so far 27 countries have indicated interest in coming for this competition and a total number of 2000 military athletes across African countries are expected to participate in the championship.
He said the theme for the 2nd African Military Games Abuja 2024 is Enhancing Military Cooperation in Africa Through Sports and it will be held between 6 to 15 November 2024.
Air Vice Marshal Marquiz also noted that about 27 African countries have indicated their interest in participating in all the sporting activities.
On the CDS Half Marathon race, the Director of Sport DHQ said the half marathon will cover 21.2 kilometres and the sporting event will take place November 25, 2023, and participants are personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other Paramilitary agencies.
Addressing the media, the President of the Organisation Military Sport in Africa (OSMA) who doubles as Vice President of CISM, Major General Maikano Abdullahi said the 2nd African Military Games was approved by the CDS Armed Forces of Nigeria after OSMA gave the Games hosting right to Nigeria during the 7th OSMA General Assembly in Sierra Leone.
He added that the venue of the event: was MKO Abiola National Stadium and some sporting facilities in the Military Cantonment.
Grand Patron: Commander in Chief of Armed Forces of Nigeria AFN, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, Patron: Minister of Defence: His Excellency Mohammed Badaru Abubakar CON mni, Chief host: CDS Gen CG Musa while Co-host are Lt Gen TA Lagbaja – COAS, V Adm EI Ogalla – CNS, Air Marshal HB Abubakar - CAS
General Maikano noted that the 2nd African Military Games Abuja 2024 will witness 19 sporting events like Football, Basketball, Tennis, badminton, Chess, Taekwondo and many more.
CISM was created while meeting Nice at a fencing event on 18 Feb 1948 by five Founding Nations (Belgium, Denmark, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands) OSMA was created in 1994 at the 49th CISM General Assembly in Istanbul, Turkey.
Founding Country/Founding Father: OSMA was founded by Maj Gen Ishola Williams of Nigeria, Col Kalkaba Malboum of Cameroon Armed Forces, and Gen Poetim of Senegal. Nigeria in CISM: Nigeria joined CISM in 1972 (51 years) ago.
Some past Chief Delegates include Lt Col BS Dimpka, Gen O Obasanjo, Gen TY Danjuma and Maj Gen T Shelpidi amongst others
1st Africa Military Games Kenya 2002: 32 nations participated in 11 Events. The event was declared open by the then-President of Kenya President Daniel Arap Moi.