The Commandant of the Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA) Maj. Gen. John Ochai has urged the Federal Ministry of Sports to integrate more military personnel into their sporting programs. The commandant made the appeal during the opening ceremony of the (NDA), Cadets Bridge Inter Battalion Sports Week in Kaduna, saying military and sports share the same…

The Commandant of the Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA) Maj. Gen. John Ochai has urged the Federal Ministry of Sports to integrate more military personnel into their sporting programs.

The commandant made the appeal during the opening ceremony of the (NDA), Cadets Bridge Inter Battalion Sports Week in Kaduna, saying military and sports share the same aspiration to excellence.

The commandant noted that some of the military personnel selected to participate in competitions, both locally and internationally are excelling.

While noting that physical fitness was the bedrock of any armed forces, Ochai also emphasized that “one has to have the background of training in sports to be able to extend that to the men,” adding that as a leader, one needed to be physically and mentally fit at all times.

He added that NDA wants to build the spirit of sportsmanship in the officers’ cadets.

“It builds in them that gentlemanly spirit and behavior that we want them to imbibe as leaders. in doing that, they will be able to train the men that come under their command,” Ochai said.

“In every sporting activity, excellence is always rewarded, likewise in the military training. Once success is made in military operations or in battle, there will be savour in victory of success and so it is in the sports field.”

In his opening remarks, the Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Enoh described the Nigerian Armed forces have been the shining light of Nigeria’s sports progress and achievements.

Enoh said his support for the game was because it had in the past produced renowned Athletes.

“I appreciate the fact that the armed forces have been in the forefront of sports development in the country with a lot of prizes and medals they have won internationally from those who are part of the armed forces,”he said.

Enoh stated that the tradition of supporting the armed forces and their sports would continue, while restating his commitment to doing more in ensuring that the interest of President Bola Tinubu who is passionate about sports is protected

“The President is passionate about sports and he will continue doing much about it,” he said.

According to the minister, the sports week was a showcase of the best that can come out from the games, which would produce men and women that would in the near future, compete for Nigeria and win at local and international competitions.

He urged the participating cadets to put in their best, noting that there were always trophies for success.

The week-long event will witness athletics compete in basketball, handball, volleyball, judo, boxing wrestling, tug of war, badminton and table tennis, among others. The athletes were drawn from Mogadishu, Dalet, Burma and Abyssinia Battalions.