Western Naval Command Concludes 2025 Intra-Command Sports Competition In Lagos

The Western Naval Command (WNC) has concluded its 2025 Intra-Command Sports Competition with a colourful closing ceremony held on Friday, September 26, at the Nigerian Navy Sports Complex, Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos.

The week-long event, which commenced on September 23, featured personnel from various units of the Command grouped into four combat teams Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta competing across multiple sports as part of preparations for the Nigerian Navy Games.

Team A 1st with 16 Golds, Team C was 2nd with 13 gold medals and Team B was 3rd with 11 gold medals. The competition climaxed with a thrilling final football match in which Team Bravo edged Team Alpha, before a tug-of-war contest that drew loud cheers from officers, ratings, and invited guests.

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) WNC, Rear Admiral Michael Oamen, GSS, who served as Special Guest of Honour at both the opening and closing ceremonies, commended the athletes for their spirited participation. He emphasized that the competition was not just about winning medals but about fostering physical fitness, esprit de corps, unity, discipline, and mental alertness, all vital for operational readiness.

“Sports remain a veritable tool in building resilience and teamwork among naval personnel, which are critical to our core duties,” Rear Admiral Oamen remarked.

During the opening ceremony earlier in the week, the participating combat teams staged a colourful march past, followed by novelty football and tug-of-war contests to set the tone for the games. The FOC, alongside other dignitaries, officially declared the competition open by presenting trophies and medals to teams.

Friday’s closing ceremony attracted senior military and paramilitary figures, including Major General FU Mijinyawa, General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Nigerian Army; Mrs Archie-Abia Ibinabo, Assistant Commander General of Narcotics and Director, Seaport Operations, NDLEA; and Rear Admiral SD Ibrahim, Chief Staff Officer, WNC.

The event was rounded off with the presentation of medals and trophies to winning teams, marking the official closure of the 2025 Intra-Command Sports Competition.