The Nigerian Air Force Football Club (NAF FC), has continued to maintain credible presence and impressive showing in the Nigeria Professional League, the NAF has disclosed.
The Club, which was established in August 1984 as the NAF Rockets and renamed NAF FC in 2006, rose through the lower leagues winning several honours for improved performance and discipline.
NAF FC eventually gained promotion, in 2017, to play in the Nigeria National League (NNL) after emerging winner of its group in the 2016/2017 Season with a tally of 6 wins, 2 losses and a draw; a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola revealed over the weekend.
The DOPRI noted that the Club, which is Chaired by the Director of Administration, Headquarters NAF (HQ NAF), Air Vice Marshal Nelson Calmday and managed by Group Captain Magnus Abanum, the Deputy Director Sports, HQ NAF, was the first military team to be promoted to the NNL.
According to him, “In the current 2017/2018 Football Season, which commenced in April 2018, the NAF FC has so far played 15 league matches, out of which it recorded 6 wins, 3 draws and 7 losses.
“The performance of the NAF FC could not have been possible without the support of the Chief of the Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who takes a keen interest in sporting activities”, he remarked.
Air Commodore Daramola further noted that the CAS has ensured that the Team is encouraged and well motivated financially, despite budgetary constraints.
“In the last 3 years of the current NAF administration, sporting activities in general have been accorded necessary prominence, with the rejuvenation of Inter-Branch and Inter-Unit Sport Competitions as well as the initiation of the NAF Combat Sports Competition; which has been an annual event since 2016, the most recent being held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in April 2018”, he stated.
He further explained that, conscious of the need to constantly keep personnel physically fit and mentally strong to discharge their duties effectively, the NAF also holds Quarterly Route March and Annual 10 Kilometre Walk/Jog Exercises, among others, for all personnel.
