The third edition of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Inter-Command Combat Sports Competition, has kicked-off earlier this week at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The event tagged, “Uyo 2018”, featured over 600 participants drawn from the Headquarters, NAF (HQ NAF) Abuja and its six Commands located in different parts of Nigeria. The participants will be competing in various sporting events including combat boxing, combat swimming, combat relay race, shooting exercise, obstacle crossing, taekwondo, judo as well as tug of war.
The competition, which is an annual regimental sporting event, is part of efforts aimed at continually promoting combat fitness and esprit-de-corps among personnel. It is also aimed at enhancing effective service delivery, which can only be achieved when personnel are physically and mentally fit.
While declaring the competition open, the Executive Governor of Cross Rivers State and the Special Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony, Professor Benedict Ayade, who was represented by the Deputy Governor of the State, Professor Ivara Esu, lauded the NAF and its leadership for making the physical fitness of its personnel a priority.
He added that it is indeed a smart move as it is virtually impossible to separate efficient service delivery from a sound mind in a sound body as he also assured the NAF of the continuous support of the Government and people of Cross River State in ensuring that the force continues its bid to make the country safe for all.
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, earlier in his remarks, reiterated the importance of physical fitness to a fighting force. He noted that physical fitness remains the cornerstone of military combat readiness and hence, the NAF leadership’s decision to sustain the annual 10 km walk/jog competition, quarterly route march exercise and the combat sports competition.