By Muhyideen Jimoh
Abuja – The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, on Friday called for investment in developing the skills of Nigerian youths in sports to take them off crimes.
Olonishakin made the call during the closing ceremony of the third edition of the Chief of Defence Staff Barracks Youth Championship held at the Mogadishu cantonment, Abuja.
Represented by AVM Nurudeen Balogun, Chief of Defence Policy and Planning, said the championship will go a long way in promoting unity and discovering new sports talents for the nation.
“This landmark sporting event has brought together participants from various Military Barracks within Abuja to promote mutual cooperation, brotherhood and sportsmanship amongst our youths.
“If our dear nation is to make steady progress, we cannot afford to ignore the challenges facing our youths.
“It is mainly for this reason that we are committed to empowering our youths so that they can contribute their quota to development and progress of the nation,” he said.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 10-day championship featured male and female categories in three sports: Basketball, Volleyball and Badminton.
In the Basketball (male), Air Warriors emerged champions while Full Force-Mogadishu Barracks and Hill Top-Lungi Barracks came second and third respectively.
In the female category, Hill Top emerged champions while Scorpion Nets- Mambila barracks and Full Force came second and third respectively.
In Volleyball (male), Scorpion Spikers came first while Defence Spikers and Jet Spikers came second and third respectively.
For the female, Scorpion Spikers also came tops, followed by Jet Spikers and Defence Spikers.
In Badminton (male), Guards came first, followed by the Scorpion team while Jets and Mogadishu came joint third.
In the female category the Scorpion team emerged champions, followed by Guards while Jets and Mogadishu came joint third
The thrilling championship was attended by officials from the Defence Headquarters and youths from Barracks in the FCT. (NAN)
