Follow Us on Google
By Philip Nwosu
Command Day Secondary School Ikeja has emerged overall winner of the 81 Division Inter-Command Secondary Schools Sports Competition 2026, held from February 10 to 12 at the General Tukur Yusuf Buratai Sports Complex.
The three-day sporting event brought together five Command secondary schools under 81 Division, with students competing in various events that tested their physical fitness, teamwork and sportsmanship.
CDSS Ikeja clinched the top position after a series of outstanding performances, demonstrating discipline, resilience and competitive spirit throughout the tournament.
At the end of the competition, Command Secondary School Ojo finished second, followed by Command Day Secondary School Oshodi in third place. Command Secondary School Lagos and Command Day Secondary School Bonny Cantonment placed fourth and fifth respectively.
Senior officers present at the event applauded the students’ efforts and encouraged them to carry forward the lessons of perseverance, teamwork and determination into their academic pursuits and future careers.
Earlier, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Nigerian Army, has charged students of Command Secondary Schools to uphold the values of integrity, resilience and teamwork as they return to their various institutions following the conclusion of the 81 Division Inter-Command Secondary School Sports Competition 2026.
The GOC gave the charge during the closing ceremony of the three-day sporting event held at the Lt. Gen. T.Y. Buratai Sports Complex inside the General T.A. Lagbaja Cantonment in Lagos
Addressing Commandants of Nigerian Army schools, students and spectators, the GOC expressed gratitude to God for the successful hosting of the competition and commended the participants for their exemplary conduct.
He noted that the sports complex had been transformed into a vibrant arena of youthful energy and athletic excellence over the past three days, as students demonstrated remarkable physical prowess, discipline and sportsmanship.
“I stand in admiration of the dedication, commitment and exemplary conduct displayed by every competitor. Your behaviour, both on and off the field, has been a testament to the values of integrity, respect, fairness and team spirit, which the Nigerian Army holds dear,” he said.
The GOC emphasised that while rivalry in sports can be intense, the friendships and bonds forged during competition are enduring and invaluable. He encouraged the students to cherish the relationships built during the event and to see true victory as extending beyond medals and trophies.
“True victory is never measured by the medals we get in this competition, but by the connections we have made and the mutual respect we demonstrate to each other under pressure,” he stated.
He further urged the young athletes to carry forward the lessons of perseverance and discipline acquired during the competition, describing them as lifelong virtues that would guide their journey in life.
Also, the Acting Director of Education Services (DDES), 81 Division Nigerian Army, Colonel Olatoke Olubo commended students for their resilience, discipline and sportsmanship during the event.
She expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of the competition and lauded the collective efforts of officials, students, invited guests and spectators who witnessed the three-day sporting fiesta.
She noted that beyond the scoreboard and medal tally, the competition showcased the strength of character, determination and willpower of the young athletes.
“Let us forget about the scoreboard and listen to the rhythm of the hearts of these athletes,” he said. “What we witnessed was not just about who crossed the finish line first, but the breaking of boundaries through prowess, strength and resilience.”
According to her, the students transformed the sports complex into a theatre of “pure, unadulterated adrenaline and willpower,” demonstrating focus, vibrancy and relentless pursuit of excellence.
The Acting DDES emphasized that the competition was more than a physical contest, describing it as a glimpse into the future of sports development in Nigeria.
