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From Romanus Ugwu, Molly Kelete, Abuja
The Nigerian Military has revealed that no fewer than 25 countries will participate in 19 sporting events in the second edition of African Military Games scheduled for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja commencing on Wednesday.
Briefing journalists at the MKO Abiola Stadium, venue of the games, Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, along the technical team for the games, disclosed that the military is ready to host a world-class sporting events.
He said that it will be a carnival of sort with artists like Olamide and D’banji, Timi Dakolo and Ice Prince among others performing at the opening and closing ceremonies.
According to the organisers; “The Nations that indicated interest to participate in the game must have arrived latest by Tuesday. 25 countries plus Nigeria will be participating in 19 track and field sporting events. Most of the events will be taking place at the Mainbowl and Package B of the MKO Abiola stadium except Shooting which will take place at the 177 Guards Battalion,” the military gave breakdown of the event.
Updating further, he said: “It is going to be carnival of sorts and all Nigerians are invited to come and watch the highly entertaining games. Nigeria will be participating in all the games and we have over 474 athletes.”
“Among the countries that have arrived included 160 Algerian athletes, Tunisia participating with 40 athletes, Ghana with 122 athletes and officials, Uganda 26 athletes and Tanzania 16. Ethiopia, Eritrea, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger will all be involved in the Games.
“All in all, this is going to be one of the most attended African Military Games. The first edition that took place in Nairobi, Kenya, 22 years ago, 21 Nations were in attendance. So far, all the facilities required have been upgraded, some renovated and some others maintained to enhance the performance of the athletes.
“Sports federations are working with us. All the officials are drawn from the 19 federations in Nigeria. Some of them will be judges and referees. There will be anti-doping tests to ensure that athletes participate fairly.
“Vehicles will be made available to mobilise people to the stadium. About 2500 members of the Supporters Club we have trained to drum support for our teams. As it is now, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is practically ready to deliver world-class sporting events.
“We just hope that Abuja residents and those in contiguous states will come and make it a fun-filled affair. The artists that will be performing during the opening ceremony include Olamide and D’banji, while Dakolo and Ice Prince among others will perform at the closing ceremony.
“We are also fusing culture with military parade and other performances. All the national sports culture will be performing that day,” the organisers of the games disclosed.
