By FOLUSHO ALADE, ABUJA
Nigeria’s BRIG.GEN. MIKANO ABDULLAHI, a candidate for the position of President, in the forthcoming Organisation of Military Sports in Africa (OMSA) elections has promised to work towards the promotion of Military sports in Africa if elected.
Addressing the Media in Abuja on Tuesday while canvassing for the Nation’s support GEN.MIKANO said his pedigree in Military sports in and outside Nigeria qualifies him for the top position and believes the support of all Nigerians will go a long way to boost his candidacy.
In his words; “My vast experience in Sports, Fitness and Training coupled with my participation in both National and International Military and Civil Sporting activities enhanced my nomination for this post.
“I am a fellow and member of National Association of Physical and Health Education Recreation Sports and Dance (NAPHER-SD). I have won several National and International Awards in Cameroun, CISM Headquarters Belgium, Burkina Faso, Niger and Republic of Guinea to mention but few.
“As a Senior Officer in Defence Headquarters Abuja and Deputy Director Sports, if given the mandate, I will project the good image of Nigeria better in both CISM and OSMA; promote Military Sports in Nigeria and Africa.
“I will also ensure that our Continent is adequately represented in all CISM sporting events and World General Assemblies and it will also give me the opportunity to promote sports and encourage good sporting relationship among the 51 African Countries.” he said.
Speaking further, the OSMA Presidential hopeful maintained that he will deepen and consolidate on the gains as well as the achievements of the organisation in organising sporting activities if emerged President.
The former Basketball Player of the Nigerian Army however thanked the Chief of Defence Staff, GEN. ABAYOMI OLONISAKIN and the Chief of Army Staff, LT. GEN TUKUR BURATA for nominating him for the position.
Enumerating some of the achievements of the Chief of Defence Staff in the area of sports since 2015 including; regular payment of Membership Annual dues of CISM, OSMA and Walo from 2015 every year to date 2020, renovation of all sporting facilities in Mogadishu Cantonment, the creation of Barracks Male and Female Youth Sports Championship that includes Basketball, Badminton, Handball, Football, Chess and Rugby the participation of Nigerian Armed Forces Teams in international sporting activities such as, World Military Games in Wuhan China in 2019, before COVID, World Military Skills Competition in South Africa 2018 and 2019, to mention but a few.
BRIG. GEN. MAIKANO ABDULLAHI who currently serves as the Deputy Director of Sports at the Defence Headquarters, is vying for the position alongside other contenders from Kenya, Algeria, and Guinea Conakry.
If he emerges in the elections coming up on the 1st of October 2020 via Teleconference, he automatically becomes the Vice President of International Military Sports Council also known as Consiel International Du Sport Militarie (CISM)
The CISM which was founded in 1972 has 136 member countries, is responsible for organising and coordinating Military Sports in the world.
OSMA on the other hand has 51 members within the continent and was founded in 1994 by Nigerian, MAJ. GEN. ISHOLA WILLIAMS (RTD), the organisation became fully operational in 2008 with its Headquarters in Yaounde, Cameroun.
The virtual elections will see delegates drawn from all the 51 African member countries of OSMA across Africa.
