The International Day for Military Sports Run, marked annually by the International Military Sports Council (CISM), aims to foster unity, collaboration, and shared principles of sportsmanship among military personnel worldwide.
Established in 1948, CISM has grown into a global organization with 180 member nations, promoting peace and friendship through sports.
In Nigeria, the event provides a platform for the country’s military personnel to come together, promote physical fitness, and showcase their athletic prowess. This year’s celebration, held in Abuja, brought together military personnel, paramilitary, and other security forces to participate in a 5-kilometer walk/run, underscoring the importance of fitness in their line of duty and the “Friendship Through Sports” values of CISM/OSMA.
In his address, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, emphasized importance of military personnel, paramilitary, and other security forces maintaining a high level of physical, mental, and overall fitness.
General Musa, represented by Rear Admiral Joseph Akpan, Chief of Defence Administration, issued a call to action after participating in a 5-kilometer walk in Abuja on Saturday, March 1, as part of the 2025 International Day for Military Sports Run celebrations.
“Let me remind us, especially those of us who wear uniform, military, paramilitary, that for us to remain fit, we must indeed imbibe the attitude of doing personal sport.
“As we serve in that utmost duty to bring peace to our dear nation, sports help you to remain physically, mentally and otherwise, fit.
“I want you to also promise yourself to keep the flag flying and maintain fitness.
“Let us also remember that as we are gathered here, we have our brothers in arms, members of the armed forces and other paramilitary services that are currently involved in one conflict or the other. We remember them today as they serve in that utmost duty to bring peace to our dear nation.” He said.
The CDS further lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his unwavering support to the armed forces.
Major General Maikano Abdullahi, who is Vice President of the International Military Sports Council (CISM), highlighted that the United Nations has designated a special day to celebrate the unity of armed forces worldwide through sports, shifting focus from combat to camaraderie.
“Let me remind us, especially those of us who wear uniform, military, paramilitary, that for us to remain fit, we must indeed imbibe the attitude of doing personal sport.
“As we serve in that utmost duty to bring peace to our dear nation, sports help you to remain physically, mentally and otherwise, fit.
“I want you to also promise yourself to keep the flag flying and maintain fitness.
“Let us also remember that as we are gathered here, we have our brothers in arms, members of the armed forces and other paramilitary services that are currently involved in one conflict or the other. We remember them today as they serve in that utmost duty to bring peace to our dear nation.” He said.
Abdullahi highlighted that the 78-year-old organization, which comprises 180 member countries including 48 African nations, with Nigeria among them, is guided by the motto “Friendship Through Sports”.
“Now this organization has 180 members all over the world. In Africa, we have 44 members of this organization and Nigeria is one of them. Nigeria joined this organization in 1972, with the first chief delegate, our former head of state, General Olusegun Obasanjo.
“ We have 52 chief delegates from Nigeria, that delegate Nigerian for all the CISM, and OSMA activities in the world.” He said.
General Abdullahi reiterated that CISM day was also to pay tribute to the founding principles of CISM, which was friendship, solidarity and fair play in search of a peaceful co-existence, the world over.
“Today we also mark and celebrate the power of sports to bridge the cultural diversities and fostering comradeship among the members of our armed forces and other security agencies.
“As we look to the future of CISM and OSMA, this year, we are organising African Military Boxing Championship in Rabat Morocco; African Military Football Championship in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea and African Military Basketball Championship in Guinea, Conakry.
“We are also organising the Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff 2nd edition of Sahel countries Games in N’Djamena, Republic of Chad.
“This is all with a view to promote the values of CISM/OSMA, which is Friendship Through Sports,” he said.