The Nigerian contingent at the second African Military Games deserves commendation for winning the second edition of the Africa Military Games held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. It is a testament to the abundant talents in the country. The federal government should also be commended for resuscitating the games 12 years after the first edition was held in Nairobi, Kenya. By successfully hosting athletes from 25 African countries in the 2024 Africa Military Games, Nigeria has yet demonstrated the capacity to host major international sports event. The friendship and mutual respect demonstrated by the African military athletes is desirable for fostering unity among African militaries and nations.
Team Nigeria topped the medal table at the end of the two-week event, with 114 gold, 65 silver, and 45 bronze across 21 sports. Algeria came 2nd with 96 medals, made up of 53 gold, 22 silver, and 21 bronze. Kenya came 3rd with 59 medals, consisting of 21 gold, 17 silver and 12 bronze. Other nations like Ghana, Ethiopia, and Tunisia came 4th, 5th, and 6th respectively. The African Military Games was designed as a multi-sport event for military athletes in Africa, organised by the International Military Sports Council (CISM) and the Organisation of Military Sport in Africa (OSMA). Algeria will host the 3rd edition of the games.
The President, Organisation of Military Sports in Africa, Maj.-Gen. Abdullahi Maikano, said at the closing ceremony that the event was a milestone of cooperation and unity in African Armed Forces and commended the participants for showcasing extraordinary skills, determination and sportsmanship. “For us in the African Armed Forces, each event was not just a contest of strength and skills, but a testimony of your hard work, discipline, unwavering spirits and cooperation,” he said.
The sports authorities in Nigeria should see the performance of the Nigerian contingent as a blessing in disguise. Nigerian sports have lost steam in recent years, compared to what obtained in the past. The disgraceful performance of Nigerian athletes at the Paris Olympics, where Nigeria failed to win any medal underscored our fall from grace to grass. As part of its preparation for the next Olympics and other global competitions, the National Sports Commission, headed by Shehu Dikko, should select exceptional talents from the African Military Games in the hope of nurturing them to stardom. It should also expose them to international sports meets outside the military games as a way of developing a winning mentality. Nigeria is desirous of world beaters to restore the lost glory of Nigerian sports. The National Sports Commission and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria should not only use sports as a tool for national unity, pride and youth empowerment but an instrument for national diplomacy and recognition.
We must recognise that a few military personnel from some African countries have excelled at the Olympics. The Kenyan soldier, Hellen Obiri, is a two-time Olympic 5,000 metre silver medallist from the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She competes as a middle and long distance runner. She is recognised as the only woman to have won world titles in indoor, track, outdoor track and cross country. Obiri is the former Kenyan national record holder for the mile and the 5000 metres. Shambel Abebe Bikila, a former Ethiopian soldier, was the first Ethiopian Olympic gold medallist, winning gold medal in marathon at the 1960 Rome Olympics, running barefoot. He won the second gold medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, making him the first athlete to successfully defend an Olympic marathon title. He was a member of the Ethiopian Imperial Guard tasked with the responsibility of defending the Emperor of Ethiopia.
So far, no Nigerian military officer has won a medal at the Olympics, but the Nigeria Police Force has blazed the trail. Policewoman, Chioma Ajunwa, made history by winning an Olympics gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. She was also the first Black African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a field event. She also represented Nigeria at the FIFA Women’s World Cup as a footballer. Another police officer, Sunday Bada, distinguished himself in the quarter mile. He set a national record in the 400 metres relay at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where he and the Nigerian team also won a gold medal in the 500 metre relay after the disqualification of the US team. We believe that the new crop of Nigerian military athletes can do better if given the right support. The Nigerian sports authorities should capitalise on the achievements of Team Nigeria at the 2024 AMG to make this possible.