NAN-H-113
Festival
Abuja, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) The 16th Army Sports Festival will help to build athletes for the 2020 Olympics, Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has said.
Dalung made the statement on Wednesday in Abuja when he received a delegation from the army led by Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.
He said the army had played major role in the development of sports in the country, adding that the festival was coming at a better time.
Dalung while pledging support for the festival, slated for Oct. 10 to 15, stressed the need for the country to embark on deliberate efforts to hunt for talents ahead of the 2020 Olympics.
He said that the country’s performance in the 2016 Olympics necessitated this.
The minister expressed appreciation for the role played by the army in promoting national unity, national stability and peace.
He said: “since 1963 the military have consistently sustained the peace of the country. We appreciate your pains and sufferings in achieving this feat.
“We believe in you, we have faith in the army and our greatest aspiration is that as we move through this difficult time of economic challenges, we will emerge a great nation.
“Sports development in Nigeria has been sustained by the military and the paramilitary component.
“If you take the records of the medals that have come to Nigeria, more than one third will go to the military and its component.
“The military is a tall stakeholder in sports that we cannot neglect.
“Hard times will not allow us to support you in terms of finance but we are going to roll out all our machinery to support the festival.’’
Dalung promised that the ministry would provide judges, umpires and referees for the festival and ensure that the result is credible.
Earlier, Buratia, who informed the minister of the 2016 edition of the army festival, said that six divisions of the army would participate in the event as the other divisions are engaged in operation in the North-East.
Buratai said the festival would help to showcase the talents inherent in the army and also offer the country an opportunity to hunt for talents for the 2020 Olympics.
“The festival is coming after a very long time due to the insecurity that the country has been fighting.
“I want to assure you that the army is keen in developing sports among its officers and men,’’ he said.
Buratai said that the army was desirous of developing sportsmen and women to compete at both national and international levels.
He said that President Muhammedu Buhari would be the special guest of honour and would declare the event open.
Also speaking, Brig.-Gen. Usman Olantoye, Director Physical Training, said that there would be 19 sporting events in the festival with the introduction of two new games.
He said that there would be obstacle crossing and combat relays were soldiers would dress in Camouflage with their badge.
Olantoye listed some of the sports that would feature in the festival to include: combat sports, Judo, Boxing, tennis, Squash, swimming among others. (NAN)
DE/AEA/AEA
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Edited and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo