By Our Correspondent

The Chief of Defence Staff CDS Gen. C.G Musa OFR has reaffirmed the military’s commitment to promoting sports, particularly basketball, as a means of fostering unity and peace in society. This was evident at the ongoing Chief of Defence Staff CDS Independence Basketball Championship in Abuja, where exciting matches unfolded on Day 1.

The tournament kicked off with a series of intense games that showcased the talents of various teams. The Armed Forces faced a tough challenge from the Hard Rockers, ultimately falling short with a score of 49-66. Meanwhile, Bauchi Nets and Gilali engaged in a closely contested match, with Gilali emerging victorious at 66-50. Plateau secured a solid win against Kada Stars with a score of 63-55, while Kano Pillars dominated over Niger Potters with a score of 57-40. Suleja and Gombe Bulls battled it out in a close game, with Gombe Bulls clinching a narrow victory at 65-61. City Chiefs and Rivers Hoopers also delivered an exciting match, ending with Rivers Hoopers prevailing at 51-46. Defenders displayed a strong performance against Novena, securing a convincing win at 80-56. Lastly, Mark Town Flyers soared to an impressive victory with a score of 83-64.

During the opening ceremony, Gen. C.G Musa OFR emphasized the importance of sports as a non-kinetic approach to promoting peace and engaging the youth. He highlighted the role of basketball in harnessing the talents of Nigerian athletes and fostering unity within the community. Gen. Musa OFR expressed the military’s dedication to organizing more basketball championships in the future, recognizing the positive impact of sports on society.

As the tournament progresses, spectators can expect more thrilling matches and displays of sportsmanship from the participating teams. The Chief of Defence Staff CDS Independence Basketball Championship serves as a platform for celebrating athleticism, camaraderie, and the spirit of competition, embodying the values of unity and peace through sports.