Nigerian Air Force to hold inter-command combat sports competition in Uyo

- The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is set to hold the third edition of its inter-command combat sports competition

- The event will be held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state from Monday, April 2 to Saturday, April 7

- The competition is the brainchild of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is set to hold its third quarter inter-command combat sports competition in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.

The event which is the third edition, will be held from Monday, April 2 to Saturday, April 7 at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo.

This was made known during a press briefing on Thursday, March 29 at the NAF headquarters in Abuja by the chairman, organizing committee for the competition, Air Commodore Mfon Ekpoh.

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“The choice of Uyo was in recognition of the contributions of Akwa Ibom state to the development of sports in Nigeria as well as the availability of standard sporting facilities in Uyo stadium.

“There was no doubt that the competition since inception has contributed significantly towards effective and efficient service delivery in the NAF as reflected in the physical fitness and mental alertness displayed by the Nigerian Air Force personnel,” he said.

Legit.ng gathered that the competition is designed to test the combat readiness of personnel in a competitive manner while also promoting participation in sporting activities for enhanced combat capability.

NAF personnel deployed to the ongoing counter insurgency operation in the northeast and other internal security operations across the country would also compete in the various sporting events at the competition.

The events include:

1. Combat swimming

2. Tug of war

3. Obstacle crossing

4. Combat relay race

5. Taekwando

The event would also feature shooting exercise at the shooting range located in the Nigerian Army Barracks, Abak, Akwa Ibom state.

Seven teams comprising Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Tactical Air Command, Special Operations Command, Mobility Command, Air Training Command, Ground Training Command and Logistics Command as well as Direct Reporting Units are expected to produce participants that would compete in the events.

Outstanding athletes during the competition will cart away medals with an opportunity to represent Nigerian Air Force and the nation in future championships.

Air Commodore Mfon also used the opportunity to inform residents of Uyo to prepare for movements of troops and military equipment deployed for the competition within the scheduled period.

He urged them not to panic or entertain any form of fear when they see movement of troops and equipment in particular the shooting exercise.

Meanwhile, the innovativeness and achievements of the NAF in the area of Research and Development (R&D) were on display at the just concluded Technology and Innovation Expo 2018.

The NAF, which was invited by the Ministry of Science and Technology to the 5-day exhibition, had on display various innovative products such as the Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), Air Marshal SB Abubakar Aviation Power Pack and Hydraulic Diaphragm for the Mi-Series Helicopter.

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Source: Legit.ng