2024 African Military Games will include 2,000 athletes

At the third iteration of the African Military Games, which will be held in Nigeria in November 2024, 2,000 athletes representing 42 nations will compete.

This information was provided to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja during a briefing on the games’ preparations by AVM Abidemi Marquis, Director of Sports, Defence Headquarters.

The African Military Games 2024 are intended to give African nations the chance to contact with one another in order to strengthen the positive historical cooperative efforts and working relationships created and enjoyed over the years.

“Through sports, we can improve military cooperation in Africa,” reads the theme of the contest.

He stated that the games are now scheduled to take place from November 6 to November 15, 2024.

Marquis stated that the military sportsmen would compete for honours in 19 different sports.

“Around 2000 military athletes from African nations are anticipated to compete in the competition.

“His Excellency President Bola Tinubu, President of Nigeria and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, is the Grand Patron for the African Military Games 2024,

“The Chief of Defence Staff serves as the Chief Host, and the service Chiefs serve as the co-hosts. The patron is the Minister of Defence.

“The Ministry of Defence, Defence Headquarters, Services Headquarters, captains of industries, agencies, and organisations,” he continued.

One of the grand prizes up for grabs, according to Marquis, is an automobile supplied by Innoson Motors.

Maj.-Gen. Maikano Abdullahi, president of the Organisation of Military Sports in Africa (OSMA), claimed that although Nigeria was given the hosting rights over 20 years ago, the events could not take place.

According to him, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, approved the revival of the games.

The Moshood Abiola National Stadium and a few other military athletic facilities in Abuja, according to Abdullahi, who doubles as the vice president of the International Military Sports Council.

The Chief Delegate has already sent a primary invitation information to all 54 African countries. There will be a General Assembly here in Nigeria before the games.

“They’re all aware that we’ll be holding a general assembly in Nigeria in February 2024, giving us the chance to tour the amenities we have in our stadium.

The chief delegate and the Nigerian military authorities will be able to interact and strengthen their connection, he continued.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the inaugural edition of the games took place in Kenya in April 2002, with 1,562 athletes from 32 different nations competing in 11 different sports.