The 7th edition of the Nigerian Air Force Games, tagged ‘Calabar/Uyo 2011’, will hold concurrently in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States from 29 October to 5 November 2011. The sporting event is intended to prepare the Nigerian Air Force for the next Armed Forces and Security Agencies Games coming up next year. The Games will be a culmination of the renewed efforts and commitment by the current NAF leadership to promote physical wellbeing among personnel towards enhancing performance in their statutory duties through mass participation in sports. The Games is also intended to foster the existing cordial relationship between the NAF and the civil populace in the host states bearing in mind the transformation agenda of the Federal Government. The theme of the Games is “Harmony through Sports” to promote internal cohesion and national integration.

Over 1,000 athletes are expected to compete in 22 sporting events. Three of these events would be on non-scoring basis while 19 will be medal winning events. Other activities slated for the occasion will include fly past by NAF platforms and a rappelling exercise in addition to the usual calisthenics and cultural display. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar is pleased to welcome all teeming audience to the occasion.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja Thursday, the Chief of Administration, NAF, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Kure noted that since the competition was held last in 2005, the current 7th edition provides opportunity to overhaul the NAF Team to the Armed Forces Games in six years as much younger hands have been enlisted into the Services since the last game.

According to AVM Kure, "Besides the desire to build physical fitness among personnel, the list of selected sports shows that the NAF attaches much premium to developing mental capacity as well. The Game is also designed to foster the existing cordial relationship between the NAF and civilian populace within the host states bearing in mind the transformation agenda of the Federal Government," he said.

Giving a breakdown of the Game; Kure said that the 1,000 personnel would be competing in events comprising five teams including NAF Headquarters, Tactical Air Command, the newly created Mobility Command, Training Command and Logistic Command; while 200 VIPs would grace the occasion.

He said: "Three of the events namely Chess, darts and scrabble would be conducted on non-scoring basis while the remaining 19 are medal winning events. The medal winning events include cross country, shooting, tug of war and athletics. Others are boxing, wrestling, weight lifting, football, badminton, basketball, swimming, judo, golf, handball, squash, table tennis, and tennis".