By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has once again underscored the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to youth development, discipline, and national unity through sports, as the 2025 Abuja Military Barracks Youth Sports Championship drew to a colourful close at Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja.
The four-day sporting fiesta, which featured young men and women drawn from various military barracks and formations within the Federal Capital Territory, showcased exciting contests in basketball, football, and volleyball. Designed as more than just a competition, the championship was conceived as a platform to instill discipline, teamwork, and resilience among the youth, while also providing a veritable avenue to discover and nurture future sporting talents for Nigeria.
General Musa, represented at the closing ceremony by the Group Managing Director of Defence Holdings Company Ltd, Air Vice Marshal Nkem Aguyi, described the championship as a resounding success. He lauded the participants for their enthusiasm and spirit of sportsmanship, stressing that the initiative had achieved its goal of channelling youthful energy into constructive and productive ventures.
“This championship has provided an opportunity not only to keep our youths positively engaged but also to identify those with the potential to build professional careers in sports. With the presence of coaches and scouts here, we are confident that some of the talents showcased will blossom into national and international stars. Most importantly, it has strengthened the bond within our barracks communities and reinforced the values of unity, discipline, and resilience,” he remarked.
He further assured that the Armed Forces would continue to support youth-oriented programmes that foster peace, unity, and national development, noting that sports remain one of the most powerful tools to unite people across diverse backgrounds.
The 2025 edition of the Abuja Military Barracks Youth Sports Championship marked the fourth in the series, and Defence Headquarters confirmed that it has now become fully institutionalised. Over the years, similar tournaments such as the Democracy Day Basketball Competitions and the Kaduna Peace and Reconciliation Football Tournament have been organised, underscoring the Armed Forces’ consistency in using sports as a bridge between discipline, community building, and national integration.
Delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of all athletes, Master Nisi Michael expressed profound appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff for his unwavering support for youth and sports development within the barracks and across Nigeria. He also extended gratitude to the special guest of honour, the organisers, coaches, parents, and officials whose combined efforts contributed to the success of the event. In his words, “Whether we won or lost, we are all champions because we competed together, learned together, and grew stronger as a family.”
The championship climaxed with the presentation of medals and trophies to outstanding teams and individual performers. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as families, officers, and members of the barracks community thronged the venue to witness the grand finale, cheering and applauding the young athletes whose determination and teamwork brought the tournament to life.
The event once again highlighted the Armed Forces’ resolve to blend operational readiness with initiatives that build character, resilience, and hope among Nigerian youths, while fostering the spirit of unity and excellence through sports.
