Nigeria to Make History as First-Time Host of African Military Games with 44 Countries Competing in November

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• Nigeria will host the African Military Games for the first time in November 2024, featuring 44 countries competing in 19 sports, as announced by Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquis.
• The games aim to enhance military professionalism through sports, with trials for Nigerian athletes scheduled from September 23 to 27, expecting around 1,600 participants.
• Key venues in Kaduna, including the Ahmadu Bello Stadium and military facilities, will be used for the events, reflecting a strategy to boost the local economy and showcase Nigeria’s organisational capabilities.

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Nigeria to Make History as First-Time Host of African Military Games with 44 Countries Competing in November

In a significant milestone, Nigeria will host the African Military Games for the first time in November 2024. This exciting event will feature 44 African countries competing across 19 different sports.

The announcement was made by Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquis, the director of sports at Defence Headquarters and chairman of the organizing committee, during a press conference in Kaduna over the weekend.

AVM Marquis detailed the various sporting activities that will be part of the Armed Forces Games 2024. These include basketball, lawn tennis, golf, track and field, combat swimming, obstacle crossing, taekwondo, kickboxing, volleyball, and archery, among others.

To prepare for this prestigious event, the selection of athletes to represent Nigeria will take place from September 23 to 27. AVM Marquis highlighted that around 1,600 athletes from military formations across the country are expected to compete in these events, which will be held in multiple locations throughout Kaduna State.

The theme for the Armed Forces Games 2024, “Enhancing Military Professionalism through Sports,” underscores the objective of the competition: to foster physical fitness and team spirit among military personnel.

“The event will also serve as trials to pick the best athletes to represent Nigeria at the African Military Games,” AVM Marquis stated.

The choice of Kaduna as the host city reflects a broader strategy by the Chief of Defence Staff to boost the local economy. Venues such as the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Murtala Square, and military facilities like the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base will be utilized for the various events.

This historic event not only marks a first for Nigeria but also serves as an opportunity to showcase the nation’s organizational capabilities and foster unity among African military forces. As preparations ramp up, anticipation is building for what promises to be a thrilling competition that highlights athleticism and military camaraderie across the continent.