Vanguard
28 October 2008
The City of Abuja, Nigeria, will host the 2009 ALL AFRICA MILITARY GAMES.
Information coming from an organization called the ENP PROJECTS suggests that the continental Games, which last took place in Kenya in 2002, will hold from October 1, 2009 to coincide with Nigeria's Independent Anniversary.
According to Mr. Kayode Tijani, Media spokesperson for ENP Projects," I can confidently inform you that the Chief Executive of ENP, Mr Folorunso Okenla, the ex -Nigerian international footballer, whose organization are the consultants to the Nigerian Armed Forces have gotten confirmation of this from General Sho Silver, the Director Of Sports for the Defense Headquarters.
"The International Military Sports Council, CISM awarded the hosting Rights for the Games to Nigeria in view of the exemplary performance of the country in Peace- Keeping efforts and its big brotherly role in Africa.
The African Military Games organization have confirmed same and had already visited Nigeria where the immediate past President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo accepted the hosting offer. Now, President Musa Yar"Adua has also officially given the go ahead and the continental body was in Nigeria and met with all functionaries of the Nigerian Armed Forces, so, all is set.
Mr Tijani also revealed that the All Africa Military Games will see the Federal Government not only approving the hosting of the Games but also providing support and the enabling environment for the Games hosting,"but the Games will be financially driven by the private sector as major International events are done in developed Countries and so far, the marketing drive has been very encouraging. I can assure you that ENP Projects have been meeting with the private sector with impressive responses from the Telecoms, IT Solutions Providers, Banks and everyone, names of who will be mentioned in due course.
"In fact, ENP Projects will not have any problems sorting out financing for the Games as they have vast connections locally and internationally. ENP Projects was the Organization that got Sports equipments worth over $300,000 dollars for the Nigerian contingent for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games from the Japanese Government and was the Marketing partners of the Nigerian Commonwealth 2014 Games Bid Committee among others. The plan is to raise the bulk of the financing of the Games from the Private sector."
The All Africa Military Games organizers are taking its revival seriously and after Abuja 2009, it moves to South Africa in 2011. Tijani stated that there are countless plans to put up an exemplary showpiece as the Games will be of International standard. " Already, the Organizers are identifying the contenders for the Games Partners in all areas both locally and internationally and I can assure you they are the very best and the Official Partners will be chosen on merit in the full glare of the public.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 Vanguard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
