By Ademola Akanni, Abuja
A record number of 592 athletes drawn from nine military and paramilitary agencies will take part in 15 sports at the 4th edition of the One Service, One Medal Games which gets underway in Abuja on Wednesday, 20 January and ends on Sunday, 24 January, 2021, reports The Gazelle News.com.
According to a statement by the Media Office of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, “Fifteen military and paramilitary agencies had indicated interest to participate in the event which was earlier billed for Kaduna last year. Eventually, nine agencies registered for 15 sports. Events to be competed for include: Athletics, Table Tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting, Squash, Badminton, Boxing, Shooting and Tug of War.
“Others are: Swimming, Golf, Chess, Beach Volleyball, Scrabble and Taekwondo”.
The participating agencies include: Correctional Service, Federal Fire Service, Nigerian Customs Servive, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Commission (NSCDC), the Nigerian Airforce and Nigerian Navy.
The Games is organised to foster peace and unity among military and paramilitary agencies as well as discover hidden talents for various Nigerian sporting teams.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, is expected to declare the Games open at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.