Army combat sports championship holds in Kaduna May 20

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika has given full support for the maiden edition of the Nigerian Army Combat Sports Championship 2013 to hold in Kaduna between May 20 and 24, 2013.
The Chairman, Main Organizing Committee of the Nigerian Combat Sports Championship, Major General Kenneth Minimah, disclosed this during a press conference held at the Conference Room of the Army Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
Minimah disclosed the main reason for organising the Championship: “The Championship is organized in line with the drive of the Chief of Army Staff to uplift sports in the Nigerian Army and nurture discovered talents into formidable sportsmen who will represent Nigeria at international sporting events.”
The tournament boss also mentioned past sports heroes that came from the Nigerian Army and represented the country well in international championships.
“The history of sports, especially combat sports in Nigeria, cannot be said without mentioning the role of the Nigerian Army.
“Late Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna won the first Nigerian Gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 1956.
“Recently, a Nigerian Army female soldier, LCPL Edith Agu, reached the quarter-finals at the last Olympics in London.
“Our prominence has been more in the area of combat sports.
“In boxing, the Nigerian Army has produced international boxers like Joe Mensah, Obisia Nwankpa, Tony Andeh, Kayin Armah, Solomon Otoga and of recent Segun Ajose.
“In wrestling, Godswill Tiebiri was a one time Commonwealth Games Champion.”
Minimah also revealed that “although 2013 is usually not a sports year in the Nigerian Army Calendar of events, we still intend to conduct the first ever Nigerian Army Combat Sports Championship with the objective of discovering new and young talents in boxing, judo, taekwondo and wrestling.
“The new talents will then be nurtured to prominence and hopefully make Nigeria proud at the next 2016 Olympics Games.”
The competition will hold at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Old site, Kaduna from May 20 to May 24. 2013. The top Army officer also disclosed that the competing formations include 1 Division Kaduna, 2 Division Ibadan, 3 Division Jos, 81 Division Lagos, 82 Division Enugu and Army Headquarters Garrison Abuja.
He also specifically mentioned that the Chief of Army Staff is the major sponsor of the championship while other banks and corporate bodies are also partnering with the COAS for a smooth sail and successful hosting of the competition.
Also, prizes would be won while the boxing event is strictly for athletes (officers) within the ages of 17 and 22