AMGA 2024 Daily Diary – Nigeria pulls it off!
DAY FOUR
It is a very special day. How it goes matters a great deal. It will determine the psychology of AMGA 2024 when the sports events eventually start.
Hosting such a big international event is a first for the Nigerian military. Nothing like this has happened since the All -African Games of 1972 and 2003 held by the country. The logistics and costs involved in such events are always mind-boggling.
In addition, Nigeria is going through a period of serious internal security challenges. Understandably, therefore, there is more apprehension in the air than confidence that the military can undertake such an event, at this time.
But the Chief of Defense Staff and his team of strategists are thinking differently. Whilst the country may be groaning under the weight of very difficult times, the Military can introduce a little innovative physical and psychological palliatives, a soothing balm, a needed distraction from the physical hardships, a cushion to dampen some of the tensions in the country (and, by extension, the continent) and ‘innocuous’ events to engage the minds of the people by deploying something they are passionate about.
Sport can surely lubricate the friendship amongst the military in Africa where conflicts exist (or not). Peace and friendship are needed to ease the frayed and strained relationships between some of the countries.
The Games serve as a reminder that there are more things that are of common interest to the countries than the avoidable issues that divide them.
To deploy AMGA 2024 for achieve such lofty objectives is, therefore, an ambitious project.
Here we are. What happens on this Opening Day will give an indication of what will happen for the rest of the Games. The opening Ceremony is, therefore, very important. It is a compass into the rest of the Games.
So, this day moves quickly. I have little to do until 2:00 pm. I hang around the hotel lobby watching the traffic of athletes and officials preparing for the ceremony.
I watch out for how the teams will turn up for the march-pass parade. Will they be dressed in Military uniforms? That will be interesting. Will they march like soldiers, or just swagger like ‘bloody civilians’?
I was at the final rehearsals on Day Three. How will the real ceremony go?
At 2:00 pm in the afternoon, Seun, Deji and I set out for the stadium. We stop over for lunch at Akisco’s, again. The lunch is fantastic – pounded yam with different spiced soups to go with it; peppered fresh and dried fish; and smoked local Chicken.
It is a unique eating experience.
This may look like an advert, but I seriously recommend that visitors to Abuja visit Akisco’s Restqurant for a ‘taste’ of this unique eating experience. It is an outdoor place, cool under the shady canopy of trees. It is directly behind Afri Hotel in the Central District Area. The more reason to patronize it is that Akisco Restaurant is owned by a former Female national basketball team captain, Josephine Akiga.
The preparation of the food is special. The spices are indigenous and give the food a unique taste. Serving the food is also different with six different soup-types served with every meal for a patron to eat together or to select from.
Yes, so, this is a promo, but well-earned.
As I munch this rich and absolutely delicious meal, I am thinking – Eagle7 Bamboo Garden in Wasimi must prepare for an adaptation.
Lunch over, we head to the MKO Abiola National Stadium. It is a sea of human traffic.
What is different from all my previous experiences at major international events is the plethora of military uniforms. There cannot be a bigger and better advertisement for young people to join any of the three military services – the Navy and their
beautiful White outfits, the Airforce in their navy-blue uniforms, and the varied camouflage Greens of the army.
There are other colours of uniforms worn by the foreign soldiers. What is common to all of them is their respectful looks. A well-dressed soldier is an embodiment of class, dignity, beauty and respect.
Now, imagine that most persons around the terraces are in these uniforms. It is a beauty to behold. They make the beautiful environment that the stadium has become, even more beautiful.
The National Stadium in Abuja has undergone a transformation. Beyond the Games, the new National Sports Commission, whose offices are in the Stadium, must not allow a return to the neglect of old, and let this National
Monument and edifice to waste like a beautiful flower in the desert.
We enter the stadium through the VIP area and ate taken to seats in the terrace just below the VVIPs’ State box.
At 6:00 pm, some 2 hours after arriving the stadium, the opening ceremony begins.
It was a breathtaking experience. Although simply and different from what I am used to, it is still very enjoyable with a simple dramatisation of how the military intervened in Nigeria’s governance at a time, and promoted peace, unity and patriotism.
My full experience of the day is better shared in sights and sounds, in pictures and videos that will be available on Eagle7 Sports Radio social media platforms.
The evening is summed up by the handshakes, hugs and kisses in the State Box when I go there to join in the celebration of Nigerian Military that have just pulled off a very challenging project considered a ‘mission impossible‘ only a few months ago.
The climax of the opening ceremony are performances by Superstar Nigerian musical giants, Timi Dakolo, D-Banj, Yèmi Alade and Olamide. For the first time in my life, I stand at the foot of the giant stage to watch the performers on stage from close up. The fireworks light up a truly fascinating ceremony.
I get back to the hotel around midnight.
From the evidence of today’s event, the days ahead are going to be brilliant.
Dr. Olusegun Odegbami MON, OLY, AFNIIA, FNIS
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