Minister of Sports, Chief of Naval Staff Declare 12th Nigerian Navy Games Closed

Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo on Tuesday declared the 12th Nigerian Navy Games closed after five days of hostilities in 22 sporting events. 

Last Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari was in Lagos for the inauguration as well as commission the Nigeria Navy's new Sports Complex in Mavy Town, Ojo, Lagos. 

The closing ceremony of the Games was heralded by cultural displays, parade by the contingents of the six participating Naval Commands, track and field events and football final match between Central Naval and Eastern Naval Commands.

The 12th edition held in Ojo Lagos was the first that on Navy sports facilities. It was also the fourth time the Games was held in Lagos. 

1029 athletes from six different commands participated in 22 games. After five days of excitements, thrills, frills, and frenzy, the Minister of Sports hailed the performance of the athletes particularly participants in finals of football, tug of war and athletics.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubair Gambo also disclosed that the event is aimed at boosting physical and military strength of its personnel in combating crimes at the sea and shore.

He said: “The games involve 22 events with about 1,820 athletic officials participating and for the first time in the history of the Nigerian Navy (NN), we used our own Navy Sports complex alongside Teslim Balogun Stadium and other facilities within the Navy Town.”

“As you are aware, sports, physical and mental activities have always been a bedrock of the Navy daily routine source for personnel at shore and at sea. It is for this reason and the benefits derivable from participation in sports, that the NN pays particular attention to sports engagement.”

Meanwhile, Gambo applauded the Lagos State government and the National Sports Commission (NSC) for their contribution towards the Navy activities, adding that the Navy is set to break world records during the exercise.