The Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Jaji, on Monday, began its first Bi-annual sports competition for 2023 with 610 athletes participating.

The athletes were drawn from AFCSC Headquarters, the Department of Joint Studies, as well as Land, Maritime and Air warfare departments.

The athletes will seek laurel during the week-long competition in 15 sporting events, which include football, tennis, volleyball, handball, swimming, squash, badminton, golf, basketball, scrabble and tug-of-war, chess, five aside and table tennis, among others.

Chief of Defence Simulation, Maj-Gen Felix Omoigui, who was the special guest, called on the participants to display excellent sportsmanship.

Omoigui said the competition was a mandatory part of the college’s training curriculum aimed at developing the physical and mental well-being of students and personnel.

He added that it was to ensure that both students and personnel remained physically prepared while going through sound academic and military education.

The Defence Simulation chief enjoined the participating departments to show a high level of discipline, courage and determination as they compete for honours in the week-long event.

He also urged the competitors to imbibe the qualities of sportsmanship and fair play while striving to win medals for their respective departments.

To the officials of the various events, Omoigui urged them to ensure fairness, good officiating and professional conduct.

“I have no doubt that this event will leave an indelible memory in the minds of all the participants as it had on me when I was a student in the college some two decades ago,” he said.

Omoigui appreciated the Commandant and his team for organizing and sustaining the competition.

Earlier, the AFCSC Commandant, AVM Emmanuel Wonah, said that sporting activities were not only to enhance personnel’s fitness but also for participants to imbibe the spirit of the corporation in teamwork.

Wonah said that physical and mental fitness was a basic requirement in military service, which the competition sought to promote.