The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has completed plans to hold the third edition of the NAF inter-command combat sports competition from 3rd to 6th April 2018 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The sport competition, which is tagged Uyo 2018, is part of efforts aimed at continually promoting combat fitness and esprit-de-corps among personnel.
NAF objective is to enhance effective service delivery, which can only be achieved when personnel are physically and mentally fit. This was revealed during a press briefing held, today 29 March 2018, at the MD Umar Blue Room, Headquarters NAF.
While briefing the press, the Chairman Organising Committee of the 2018 NAF Inter-Command Combat Sports Competition, Air Commodore Mfon Ekpoh, reiterated the commitment of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, towards ensuring that all NAF personnel are physically fit and mentally alert.
He further stated that the importance of sporting activities to military operations cannot be overemphasized. According to him, this belief informed the decision of the current NAF leadership to embark on renovation, upgrading and construction of new sporting facilities across various NAF Bases to encourage regular physical fitness exercises among personnel.
The Chairman noted that the 2018 NAF Inter Command Combat Sports Competition would be a symbol of regimentation, as it is also designed to test the combat readiness of personnel in a competitive manner while simultaneously promoting participation in sporting activities.
Air Commodore Ekpoh added that the 2018 edition of the event would draw participants from HQ NAF, Tactical Air Command, Special Operations Command, Mobility Command, Air Training Command, Ground Training Command and Logistics Command as well as Direct Reporting Units.
The teams will be competing in various games, which include combat swimming, combat relay race, taekwondo, tug of war, obstacle crossing and shooting competition. Athletes who stand out during the competition will cart away medals with an opportunity to represent the NAF and possibly the nation in future competitions.
The Chairman equally announced that the City of Uyo and its environs will witness considerable movement of troops and military equipment deployed for the competition within the scheduled period.
He therefore urged the general public not to panic or entertain any form of fear when they see movement of troops and equipment throughout the period, particular during the shooting exercise. He gave the assurance that adequate measures had been put in place to guarantee the safety of members of the public, who he advised to go about their normal lawful businesses.
The Executive Governor of Cross Rivers, Professor Benedict Ayade, is expected to be the Special Guest of Honour during the opening ceremony of the Combat Sports Competition scheduled for 3 April 2018 while Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom will be the Special Guest of Honour during the closing ceremony on 6 April 2018.
