THE Director of Sports, Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquis, has disclosed that about 1,600 athletes will compete in the forthcoming Armed Forces Games 2024 between 23rd to 27th September, 2024 in Kaduna.
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna to usher in the commencement of the games with the theme, ‘Enhancing Military Professionalism Through Sport’, AVM Marquis who doubles as the Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) said the event will feature 19 sporting activities.
He noted that the Organization of African Military Sports awarded Nigeria the hosting right for the African Military games 2024 to be held in Abuja.
“The first edition was held in Kenya 22 years ago, Nigeria since then has not been able to host due to engagement in security challenges.
“In 2023, the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, accepted to host the event in Abuja. The current CDS, being a lover of sports, accepted to host the event at the same venue.
“The objective of the games is to really select our team that will be representing Nigeria during the African military games in Abuja from November 18-30,” he said.
The CDS, he said, chose Kaduna to host the event as part of his contribution to impact on the economy of the state.
AVM Marquis also commended Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State for providing some venues like the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Muritala Square for the Armed Forces to host the event.
He added that the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base and a private range will also be used for the games.
Athletes for the Armed Forces Games 2024 will compete in basketball, lawn tennis, golf, track and field, combat swimming, obstacle crossing, taekwondo, kickboxing, volleyball and archery among others.
