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With a total of 167 medals comprising 56 Gold, 55 Silver and 56 Bronze, the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) was Tuesday night declared winner of the 12th Nigerian Navy Games tagged “Lagos 2022.”
The ENC beat the Naval Headquarters (NHQ), Central Naval Command (CNC) and Western Naval Command (WNC) which came distant second, third and fourth respectively.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the games, Sports Minister, Sunday Dare commended the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo for making the competition a reality.
He expressed hopes that with games like it, the Armed Forces would soon return to the era where it produced most of the country’s athletes.
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“In the past three decades, perhaps until about 12 years ago, the greatest number of our sporting talents in Nigeria came from the Armed Forces- Police, Army, Navy and Air Force. The Chioma Ajunwas of this world came from the police and the list is endless.
“We have started a new trajectory for Nigeria when it comes to sports performance and we call upon the Navy to continue on this part. We also call upon the other forces to emulate the Navy.
“Like I always love to say, life is a sport. That is to say, just like life is not 100% sport is not 100% also. Someone has to win. Someone has to lose and then the battle continues…” he said.
Declaring the games closed, Defence Minister, Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd.), said the sports would boost personnel’s mental and physical alertness which would help them overcome challenges in battle fronts.
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Congratulating the ENC for emerging tops at the games, the CNS said the exercise had further instilled a sense of readiness and camaraderie among participants.
Highlights of the games included the football match, which was also won by ENC after a sudden death penalty.
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