At least 54 African Nations, including Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso who announced their exit from ECOWAS are expected to converge in Nigeria in November 2024 for the 2nd Africa Military Games.
The Director Sports Defence Headquarters Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Abidemi Marquis made the disclosure on Friday while briefing newsmen on the forthcoming event.
He said despite ECOWAS tension, military athletes from Mail,Niger,Burkina Faso and Guinea have indicated interests to participate billed to hold between 5-18 November 2024 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
AVM Marquis said the event with the theme “enhancing military cooperation in Africa through sport” will afford african countries opportunity to interact with one another towards sustaining good relationship built over the years.
He said the event will feature both male and female athletes participating in 19 sporting events.
The Director said President, Commander In Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the grand patron for this second african military game is the president, while the minister of Defense, Mohammed Badaru is the Patron with the chief of Defense Staff General Christopher Musa will serve as the Chief host while the service chiefs serve as co hosts
He said the games aim to further cement the camaraderie and cooperation that is existing among african countries and enhance security on the Continent.
He disclosed that about 43 nations have already submitted their first primary agreement to participate in the games such as Badminton, boxing, basketball, combat swimming, football, golf, judo, kickboxing, obstacle crossing, shooting, Squash, table tennis, lawn tennis, taekwondo, volleyball and wrestling etc.
He noted that the benefits of hosting the games are enormous ranging from boosting tourism and steering up the economy.
“So for Nigeria, while hosting these games is going to increase tourists to our. it will project Nigeria to the world. Nigeria will be visible. So when tourists come to your country, they are coming to spend money on accommodation, food, transportation, souvenirs and other goods and services. So hosting these games is a positive force multiplier with respect to economic growth”.
He said the games will also spur infrastructure development such as hotels and others there by improving the life of the citizens.
The President, OSMA Major General Abdullahi Maikano said OSMA being a non political organization strives to unite all African military through sporting activities.
He said Nigeria was granted the hosting right after 24 years
hiatus due its capability and believed the event will be a success.
“We at the OSMA headquarters, we gave the hosting right to Nigeria, we’re expecting nothing but to have the best and we believed Nigeria has the capacity. Nigeria has all it takes to host. They have been hosting other events but this is a unique event because it involves the armed forces of Africa and by implication, some of our friends from Russia, Germany, United States of America also come”
He said athletes from other African countries like Ghana have already entered camp and indicated interests to participate.
He reiterated that the Ambassador of Burkina Faso has also assured that the military athletes will be participating in the event.
“Our aim is to have the 54 member nation of Africa and the motto is peace in Africa. And Nigeria is going to give us that way and fair ways to get peace in Africa. You see, the aim of this our event is to bring peace to Africa. The military are the ones to be in the forefront for fighting and we want to also be in the forefront to bring peace to Africa”.
General Abdullahi stated further despite crisis,the Sudanese military has indicated interest to participate,adding that he’ll continue to campaign for more countries to participate.