Nigerian army reintegrates wounded soldiers through sports

The Nigerian Army has thrown its weight to help support and reintegrate its wounded soldiers back into the civilian life through sports.

As part of the moves, the soldiers played a friendly sitting volleyball game with West African champions, Team FCT at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

According to the Team Lead, Invictus Nigeria, Ojey Bobby, the game shows the power of sports in recovery, through which the soldiers will have a wider understanding of what their veterans had gone through and why they need to recover and adjust to a new lifestyle.

“Invictus Game is a foundation that caters for wounded service men all over the world. Nigeria became the first African country to join in October last year. We need to thank the Chief of Defence Staff who gave approval for these men to use sports for recovery.

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“We are the 25th country in the country. We hope to participate the Games in Germany and it will be a great one for our wounded soldiers,” he said.

Speaking in the same vein, coach for Invictus Nigeria, Cheris Agoawuike praised the team for the performance despite being newly formed.

“It was a performance because they are few days old and they played a West African champion. Sports is a tool for rehabilitation, integration and for them to be reabsorbed into the society. With sports, they are accepted back in the society.,” he said.

The Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex is an international multi-sport event first held in 2014, for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, both serving and veterans.