The NYSC Ondo State Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani has called on the 2024 Batch 'A' (Stream 1) corps members to use their engagement in sporting activities to strengthen the unity of the country.
The Coordinator made the call at the NYSC Ondo State Permanent Orientation Camp Sports Complex during the grand finale of the football and volleyball competition as well as indoor games to bring to a close the sports and games activities which started two weeks earlier.
Ani, who praised the bonding and friendship exhibited by corps members during what she described as 'friendly hostilities' charged them to live by what they experienced throughout the orientation course exercise.
Gentlemen Corps Members, your participation in sports and games either as a player or supporter has reaffirmed my conviction that it is those who want to create enmity between us that are brandishing religion and ethnic as potent weapons of division. I am sure that when you leave camp at the end of the orientation course, what you started here in terms of peaceful co-existence will translate into the larger society".
She reminded them that sports is a strong weapon which serves as an indispensable tool towards uniting people of different backgrounds and climes.
"In the field of play, you can hardly recognise the religion or tribe of players. The jubilation is done by all Nigerians irrespective of their divide. Coming back to the camp, individuals with different religious beliefs rally round their platoon members who have made them proud".
The Sports loving State Coordinator who is an ardent and incurable supporter of the Rangers International Club of Enugu admonished them not to see the final game as a do-or-die affair but strive to entertain as stars on the field of play.
Earlier in her introductory speech, the Head of Sports and Games, Mrs. Martha Iziengbe Ihenyen told the audience that the matches played so far was without injuries and prayed that they continue in that spirit.
Ihenyen, who is an Assistant Director/Head Community Development Service (CDS), at the Secretariat thanked everyone for supporting her committee with a promise to ensure that physical fitness and psychological well-being of both corps members and camp officials are not in any way compromised.
The finals of Inter-Platoon Sports and Games produced winners that were rewarded with Trophies and cash awards. In the volleyball competition, number 1 platoon again lived up to pre-match prediction to clinch the first position and made number 7 platoon to settle for second position while number 5 platoon came third.
The finals of the football competition which saw number 4 platoon taking on number 6 platoon ended 2-2 at regulation time and during the penalty shoot out that followed, number 6 platoon defeated number 4 platoon by 4 goals to 3 becoming the football champions for 2024 Batch 'A' (Stream 1) orientation course. Number 4 platoon who was gallant in defeat settled for second position trophy while number 2 platoon got consolation prize for coming third.
Post a Comment