THE Eastern Naval Command Championship ended in Uyo on Wednesday with Port Harcourt zone emerging as the overall winner with 31 gold, 20 silver and 17 bronze medals.

The Intra-Command championship saw Uyo zone as second with 15 gold, 18 silver and 10 bronze, while the Fleet zone came third with 10 gold, 8 silver and 15 bronze medals.

In his remarks during the closing ceremony, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. David Adeniran, said the command would continue to reward personnel who excelled during the championship.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the events competed for during the championship included, football, volleyball, swimming, badminton, lawn tennis, table tennis, tug-of-war and golf, among others.

He said that the competition would go a long way to prepare the command for next year’s Naval Games, advising the team leaders to commence camping athletes from January 2019.

The flag officer said that personnel of the command must be physically fit to withstand the rigours of securing the nation.

He said that the essence of the intra-command championship was to develop a naval force that was well trained, organised and highly motivated for service delivery.

According to him, only physically trained naval officers will be able to rise in defence of the country territorial waters.

“The command’s engagement in this championship has enhanced personnel’s physical fitness, mental alertness and also foster good sportsmanship among units in the command and other invited security agencies.

“The building of this relationship will enhance synergy and collaboration for better national security and cohesion in terms of information sharing among security agencies,” Adeniran said.

Adeniran said that the eastern naval command would use the championship to identify athletes to represent the command in the forthcoming Nigeria Navy games.

The flag officer urged athletes who could not win medals in the championship not to give up, but to prepare for next year competition.

He commended Akwa Ibom governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, and people of the state for their hospitality during the championship.

In his closing remarks, Mr Monday Uko, the Special Guest of Honour and, Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Akwa Ibom, commended the Eastern Naval Command for its outstanding achievement to get rid of smugglers from the country.

Uko, represented by Dr David Umoh, Director Youths Development, Ministry of Youths and Sports, said that the state government would continue to support the navy and other security agencies to ensure peace.

He charged all security agencies to join hands to combat the challenge of criminality that has been confronting the nation.

Highpoint of the event was the presentation of medals to winning athletes and trophy to the overall winner

-NAN

BE

– Dec. 12, 2018 @ 15:35 GMT |