Nigeria is set to host the second edition of the Africa Military Games this November. The event has already garnered significant interest, with at least 23 countries confirmed to participate.
Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquis, Director of Sports at the Defence Headquarters and Chairman of the Sport Organising Committee, announced Nigeria’s readiness to host the games at a recent press conference in Abuja. Marquis emphasized that the event serves as a robust platform for enhancing peace and security, showcasing Nigeria as a safe and welcoming destination.
“The Africa Military Games is more than a sports event; it’s a demonstration to the world that Nigeria is a secure and hospitable place,” Marquis stated. He further highlighted the event’s potential to foster international diplomacy, military cooperation, and attract investment opportunities to Nigeria.
The President of the Organisation of Military Sports in Africa (OSMA), Major-General Maikano Abdullahi, underscored the significance of the games, themed “Enhancing Military Cooperation in Africa through Sports.” Abdullahi noted that the event provides Africa with a unique chance to narrate its own positive stories to a global audience.
In a notable expansion of the event’s international scope, countries outside Africa, including Russia, Germany, and the United States, have also expressed interest in participating. Additionally, neighboring nations such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Chad are set to join, further bolstering the event’s regional impact.
Despite the excitement and meticulous preparations, the budget allocated for hosting the games has not been disclosed. The games are scheduled to take place from November 5 to 18 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium and will feature 19 events, including Badminton, Boxing, Basketball, Football, Golf, Athletics, Kickboxing, Taekwondo, and Wrestling.
The Africa Military Games were conceptualized by Cameroonian national Hamad Kalkaba Malboum. The inaugural games, which took place in Nairobi in 2000, saw participation from 1,562 athletes across 11 sports. The bid to host the inaugural event was presented by Kenyan military personnel Jack Tuwei and Frank Mulu at the 2000 CISM meeting in Johannesburg, where African delegates unanimously accepted Nairobi as the host city.
