Seven cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) made history recently when they emerged as the only international athletes who competed against their Chinese counterparts at the maiden edition of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy “Deep Sea Warrior” International Seamanship Competition hosted by the PLA Naval Submarine Academy at the Qingdao International Sailing Centre from October 16 to 21.
The cadets including six males and one female were the only foreign participants who competed against their Chinese counterparts in the various events in the seamanship competition, while other countries participated as observers.
The Commandant of the academy, Major General John Ochai said the cadets won several medals at the week-long competition.
He also said feat is a direct result of the new training curriculum adopted by the academy which places more emphasis on physical fitness and special military capabilities for the cadets.
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“The participation of the seven cadets of the academy at the International Seamanship Competition and Exchange Week is a historic event that put Nigerian on the global map as the first and only country to compete in the competition against the host, China, within the latter’s territorial waters,” said General Ochai.
He, therefore, expressed delight that at the end of the competition NDA participants won a number of medals in several categories and put up an impressive performance for Nigeria on the international stage.