ABYSSINIA BATTALION EMERGE WINNER IN CADETS BRIGADE INTER- BATTALION CROSS COUNTRY COMPETITION 2020/2021
Abysinia Battalion of the Nigerian Defence Academy has won year 2021 Cadets Brigade Inter-Battalion Cross Country Competition, held today at the NDA, Afaka.
The competition which is a major training event in the NDA Training Calendar is aimed at building endurance, team spirit, resilience, tenacity and sportsmanship amongst cadets of the Academy. This year’s edition saw cadets jostling for the best time on a 15 Kilometres race through a carefully recconoitered route by the HQ CB in conjunction with the SPEO, within the general area of NDA Afaka, meant to really bring out the essence of the cross country race.
A total of 1,806 medically fit cadets participated in today’s race, with the best male cadet completing the run at timing of 1 hour, 10 mins, while the best female cadet completed at a timing of 1 hour, 24 minutes.
Announcing the results at the end of the competition, the Chief Judge Captain (NN) MB Salisu declared Abysinia Battalion winners, having scored a total of 1,999 points. Dalet Battalion came a close 2nd with a total of 1,983 points and Burma Battalion was 3rd with 1,467 points, while Mogadishu Battalion, with 1,250 points, emerged 4th position.
While addressing the cadets at the end of the competition, the Special Guest of Honour, Major General US Yakubu (Rtd), reaffirmed the importance of sports in the development of military personnel. “Sports, as we all know, are essential requirements for the development of military personnel”, he stated.
While enumerating some of the gains of sporting activities in military life, Maj Gen Yakubu disclosed that sports will allow cadets understand the talents, strengths and weaknesses of their colleagues, an assessment, which he noted, could help prepare the cadets for onerous task of being officers in the Nigerian Armed Forces.
He added “It is this spirit of healthy competition that would motivate you to excel as you progress in your career in the armed forces. More so, taking active part in sports, especially jogging, enables you to be physically fit and mentally alert to be able to withstand the rigorous of the military profession”.
The Guest of Honour congratulated Abysinia Battalion for putting up a good show, while also encouraging other battalions to do better next time.
The event was well attended by Principal Staff Officers, as well as other senior military and civilian staff of the Academy.
Highlights of the event include presentation of medals and trophies to the winners as well as souvenir to the Special Guest of Honour.
Sirs, attached are some of the pictures of the event.
