The Dalet Battalion on Friday emerged as the overall winner of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Cadets Brigade Inter Battalion Sports Week, with 10 gold medals.

The Burma Battalion came second with 10 gold medals, the Abyssinia Battalion came third with seven medals and Mogadishu Battalion came fourth with five gold medals.

During the week-long event, athletes competed in basketball, handball, volleyball, judo, boxing wrestling, tug of war, badminton and table tennis, among others. The athletes were drawn from Mogadishu, Dalet, Burma and Abyssinia Battalions.

The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, opened the event on Monday in Kaduna.

The Kaduna State Commissioner of Sports development, Prof. Benjamin Gugong, in his closing remarks, identified sports as a critical aspect in training cadets preparatory for the great task that lies ahead of them as future leaders of the Armed Forces.

Mr Gugong explained that sports was an essential requirement for the development of military personnel, adding, “Because it will enable cadets to develop competitive spirit, physical and mental well-being.”

He observed that the sports competition would greatly assist them as they progressed in their careers in the armed forces.

The commissioner expressed the willingness of the state government to partner institutions on sports development in the state.

He said the state government was set to organise an inter-tertiary institutions competition as part of its policy to promote sporting activities in the state.

Earlier, the Commandant of the NDA, Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, urged the winners to be magnanimous in victory, while encouraging those who lost to prepare adequately so as to achieve success in future competitions.

According to the commandant, the competition was akin to military training and operations, where lessons in victory and defeat were learnt to enhance operational efficiency.

The cadets brigade inter-battalion sports week is an annual event designed to build the physical endurance of cadets, develop their leadership capabilities, while engendering sportsmanship.

The highpoint of the event was the presentation of medals and trophies for the various sporting events.

(NAN)