Nigeria is to play host to 15 African countries in the first edition of the Sahel games of the Organisation of Military Sports in Africa (OSMA) in October in Abuja.
Brig.-Gen. Maikano Abdullahi, President of OSMA, made this known at the investiture ceremony on Wednesday in Abuja to honour Sen. George Akume, Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs as OSMA grand patron.
Gen. Abdullahi said OSMA is focused on unification of Africa.
OSMA is a continental organisation made up of the Armed Forces of African Member Countries and African representation of the International Military Sports Council.
The main objectives of OSMA, is to promote friendly sporting and physical training activities among the Armed Forces of members states.
This is to foster the culture of peace needed for the economic and the integration of the African continent.
Abdullahi explained that the upcoming Sahel sporting activities would place emphasis on peace and solidarity among African Militaries as well as the whole continent for the development of the continent.
“This time around, the game will not be a competitive one because is a game for peace and solidarity, there will be no vanquish no victor; it is for all of us to come for togetherness.
“The game will involve football, marathon race, gulf and others and eight countries in the Sahel region would involve in the games’’, he said.
The OSMA President commended Akume for accepting to play a major role in the games.
He added that Akume`s impression had encouraged him to extend the invitation to 15 African countries to participate in the Sahel games in Nigeria.
“Sir, these delegations are here in Nigeria to see how we can scale up OSMA activities to the next level and also to inspect the facilities for the next Sahel games in Nigeria’’, he said.
Sen. Akume in his response appreciated OSMA president and executive members for including his investiture ceremony as part of their OSMA Sahel games activities.
Akume said the meeting will promote peace and unity as well as strengthen collective efforts of the Armed Forces of member countries to defeat common enemy, ISWAP in particular against the security of the sub-region.
“As indication of my interest in the activities of OSMA and as a lover of sports, I have accepted to be one of your patrons.
“And also, to be part of the team that will take the Tournament Torch to President Buhari at the villa.
“I sincerely accept and appreciate this honour and i assure you that the government and the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari will continue to engage and encourage all well-meaning Nigerians in the protection and sustenance of our nationhood and development’’, Akume said.
