The 12th Nigerian Navy Games begins in Lagos from September 8-12, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, has announced.
Admiral Gambo also said that the event, which would be held at the Nigerian Navy Sports Complex, Navy Town, Lagos, is aimed at boosting physical and military strength of its personnel in combating crimes at the sea and shore.
The Chief of Naval Staff, represented by Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Jason Gbassa, spoke on Monday during a press briefing at the Western Naval Command Officers’ Mess, Apapa, Lagos, stating that 1,820 officers from the six Commands of the Nigerian Navy would participate in different exercises.
According to him: “The games will involve 22 events with about 1,820 athletic officials participating and for the first time in the history of the Nigerian Navy (NN), we will be using our own Navy Sports complex alongside Teslim Balogun Stadium and other facilities within the Navy Town.
“As you are aware, sports, physical and mental activities have always been a bedrock of the Navy daily routine source for personnel at shore and at sea. It is for this reason and the benefits derivable from participation in sports, that the NN pays particular attention to sports engagement.”
Meanwhile, Gambo applauded the Lagos State government and the National Sports Commission (NSC) for their contribution towards the Navy activities, adding that the Navy is set to break world records during the exercise.