The 2017 edition of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) annual Combat Sports Competition has kicked off in Jos, Plateau state.
Casualty/medical evacuation demonstration by the NAF medical team during the competition. Photo credit: NAF Facebook page
Dubbed ‘Jos 2017’, the competition is scheduled to hold from Saturday, March 25 to Thursday, March 30.
March past by participating contigents during the competition
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Saddique Abubakar expressed hope that NAF personnel participating in the competition would continue to maintain high level of physical fitness even after the end of the event.
He assured Nigerians that NAF personnel are mentally and physically prepared to defend the nation at all times.
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The combat relay 4 x100 meters competition
According to the CAS, maintaining a high level of combat and physical fitness would no doubt help the NAF personnel discharge their constitutional responsibilities optimally when called to do so.
Plateau state governor, Simon Lalong and CAS, Air Marshal Saddique Abubakar
His words: ”We are not unaware of the fact that the service needs personnel that are physically and mentally prepared to make the difference in any conflict.
”Similarly, service members who are physically fitt can endure tough conditions, hard work and stress more readily than those who are not.
”This philosophy has been incorporated into the Armed Forces policies and regulations to ensure that every military personnel achieves and maintains a level of physical fitness and good health to allow for productivity in their various duties and assignments
”Additionally, medical bills expended on treating ailments would drop if the service encourages mental and physical fitness.”
Air Marshal Abubakar also informed the gathering that NAF has provided gymnasiums and physical fitness facilities in most units for the use of personnel and their families.
Air arshal Abubakar decorating one of the special guests with a medal
On his part, the Plateau state governor, Mr Simon Lalong, who was the special guest of the occassion, hailed the NAF for bringing the competition to the state.
He noted that the competition was held in the state because of the peace that Plateau state now enjoys unlike in the past.
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Among those who graced the occasion as seen by ZENITHBLOG.com are the deputy chairman Senate committee on defence; Senator Jeremiah Useni, former governor of the state and serving senator; Jonah Jang, permanent secretary of the ministry of defence who represented the minister; Ambasador Danjuma Sheni and the representatives of the governors of Bauch and Kaduna state.
Highlight of the occassion was the cultural display by some notable traditional dancers in Plateau state, casualty/medical evacuation demonstration by the NAF medical team, the march past by participating contingents and relay race competitions.
Winners who emerged in different categories were presented with medals by the CAS and other special guests, while honorary medals were presented to invited guests.
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