International Day for Military Sports Run: CDS charges military personnel to stay fit

The International Day for Military Sports Run, marked annually by the International Military Sports Council (CISM), aims to foster unity, collaboration, and shared principles of sportsmanship among military personnel worldwide.

Established in 1948, CISM has grown into a global organization with 180 member nations, promoting peace and friendship through sports.

In Nigeria, the event provides a platform for the country’s military personnel to come together, promote physical fitness, and showcase their athletic prowess. This year’s celebration, held in Abuja, brought together military personnel, paramilitary, and other security forces to participate in a 5-kilometer walk/run, underscoring the importance of fitness in their line of duty and the “Friendship Through Sports” values of CISM/OSMA.

In his address, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, emphasized the importance of military personnel, paramilitary, and other security forces maintaining a high level of physical, mental, and overall fitness.

General Musa, represented by Rear Admiral Joseph Akpan, Chief of Defence Administration, issued a call to action after participating in a 5-kilometer walk in Abuja on Saturday, March 1, as part of the 2025 International Day for Military Sports Run celebrations.

“Let me remind us, especially those of us who wear uniforms, military or paramilitary, that for us to remain fit, we must indeed imbibe the attitude of engaging in personal sports.

“As we serve in that utmost duty to bring peace to our dear nation, sports help you remain physically, mentally, and otherwise fit.

“I want you to also promise yourself to keep the flag flying and maintain fitness.

“Let us also remember that as we are gathered here, we have our brothers in arms, members of the armed forces and other paramilitary services who are currently involved in one conflict or another. We remember them today as they serve in that utmost duty to bring peace to our dear nation,” he said.

The CDS further lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support for the armed forces.

Major General Maikano Abdullahi, who is Vice President of the International Military Sports Council (CISM), highlighted that the United Nations has designated a special day to celebrate the unity of armed forces worldwide through sports, shifting focus from combat to camaraderie.

“Let me remind us, especially those of us who wear uniforms, military or paramilitary, that for us to remain fit, we must indeed imbibe the attitude of engaging in personal sports.

“As we serve in that utmost duty to bring peace to our dear nation, sports help you remain physically, mentally, and otherwise fit.

“I want you to also promise yourself to keep the flag flying and maintain fitness.

“Let us also remember that as we are gathered here, we have our brothers in arms, members of the armed forces and other paramilitary services who are currently involved in one conflict or another. We remember them today as they serve in that utmost duty to bring peace to our dear nation,” he said.

Abdullahi highlighted that the 78-year-old organization, which comprises 180 member countries, including 48 African nations, with Nigeria among them, is guided by the motto “Friendship Through Sports.”

“Now this organization has 180 members all over the world. In Africa, we have 44 members of this organization, and Nigeria is one of them. Nigeria joined this organization in 1972, with the first chief delegate, our former head of state, General Olusegun Obasanjo.

“We have 52 chief delegates from Nigeria, who represent Nigeria in all CISM and OSMA activities around the world,” he said.

General Abdullahi reiterated that CISM Day was also to pay tribute to the founding principles of CISM, which are friendship, solidarity, and fair play in the search for peaceful coexistence worldwide.

“Today we also mark and celebrate the power of sports to bridge cultural diversities and foster comradeship among the members of our armed forces and other security agencies.

“As we look to the future of CISM and OSMA, this year, we are organizing the African Military Boxing Championship in Rabat, Morocco; the African Military Football Championship in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea; and the African Military Basketball Championship in Guinea, Conakry.

“We are also organizing the Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff’s 2nd edition of the Sahel Countries Games in N’Djamena, Republic of Chad.

“This is all with a view to promoting the values of CISM/OSMA, which is Friendship Through Sports,” he said.