NIGERIA enjoyed a good start at the ongoing African Military Games at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja by claiming gold medals in the men’s and women’s handball events.
While the male team won 31-23, the female team won 36-18.
Only two teams—Nigeria and Ghana—featured in the event, with Ghana settling for silver in both categories.
Speaking after the win, the handball team coach, Emeka Nnamani, said he was glad his team played to instructions to secure the win.
“I felt very happy and delighted to win. I planned with them very well and they played exactly as I wanted to play. I am satisfied. We don’t need to score 100 goals to show I am satisfied. We will still play the same pattern and system and we will,” he said.
In the same vein, Tochukwu Okeke won a silver medal in the 87kg men’s Greco-Roman event.
Okeke beat Sobri Mmosria from Tunisia in his third match of the record, with two wins and one loss.
However, in the football event, arch rivals Cameroon defeated Nigeria 1-0. The Cameroonians scored the decisive goal in added time to reach the final to be decided on Saturday.
Only four countries, Cameroon, Nigeria, Algeria and Equatorial Guinea are taking part in the football event.
The All African Military Games (AMGA) is the biggest sporting event that brings together Africa’s finest military athletes to showcase their skills, endurance, and teamwork, featuring 19 sports disciplines, including basketball, lawn tennis, golf, track and field, combat swimming, and obstacle courses.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday evening declared open the second edition of the Africa Military Games (AMGA) at the Moshood National Stadium Abuja.
Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, observed that no single nation can tackle its security challenges alone.
He acknowledged the significance of the Games in strengthening Africa’s collective security efforts.
“Our collective safety and the well-being of our people demand that we stand together, shoulder to shoulder, as one united Africa.
“This occasion is more than a gathering of extraordinary athletes; it is an undeniable reminder of the cooperation that binds the military institutions across our continent,” he said.
The events for today include archery, basketball, boxing, football, and squash. Others are taekwondo, shooting and wrestling.