No fewer than 200 young people residing within the Air Force barracks will participate in the 4th Base Sport Festival Inter-Barracks Youth Competition, scheduled for April.
Mr Daniel Tumeyar, Youth President of Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.
According to Tumeyar, the competition aims to unite youths from various barracks, fostering networking opportunities, strengthening relationships, and providing a platform for showcasing athletic talent.
He said that the theme for the competition would be“Sports for Mental Health and Physical Wellness.
According to him, it will feature various sports like football, basketball, volleyball, lawn tennis, chess, a dance competition, a rap battle, and a medical outreach.
Tumeyar stated that teams that would feature in the competition were those from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base, Ikeja; NAF Base, Shasha; and NAF Base, Victoria Island.
Others included, Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi; and T.A. Lagbaja Cantonment (formerly Ikeja Army Cantonment), Lagos.
“The annual Inter-Barracks Sports and Entertainment Festival, was formerly known as the Easter Sport Fest.
“It’s designed to promote and inspire young sporting talents within our barracks while fostering peaceful coexistence and networking,” he said.
He emphasised that unlike in 2024—when some barracks, such as Ikeja Cantonment, participated only in volleyball—”all invited teams will compete in every sport in 2025.
“Additionally, this year, we will introduce an exhibition lawn tennis match featuring distinguished guests.
“One of such guests includes the Chief Executive Officer of the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, Dr Olalekan Makinde, alongside other senior officers,” he added.
Tumeyar reiterated that the primary goal of the event was to bring youths from various barracks together, strengthen relationships, and provide a platform for showcasing their sporting talents.
“This is the only event that brings youths of different barracks together in Nigeria and nothing is most actively engaging than sports.
“We hope that through this competition, at least two youths will be identified and given the opportunity to kick-start their professional sports careers,” Tumeyar said.
He added,” the event also aims to reshape perceptions and change the negative narrative surrounding barrack children in society.”
According to him, outstanding participants will be rewarded with trophies, medals, and cash prizes.
NAN reports that the event is scheduled to take place between April 18 and April 21 at the Air Marshal Alao Outdoor Court, Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja.(NAN)
