Navy hosts boat race to mark 61st anniversary
City Beats
As part of activities to mark the 69th anniversary of the Nigerian Navy (NN), the Naval Sailing Club on Wednesday evening hosted a boat race aimed at highlighting the service’s contribution to watersports.
The event featured sailing of GP 14, Laser boats and Kayaks, just as the first three winners of each category were awarded trophies and cash prizes.
Speaking at the contest at Navy Town, Ojo, the Special Guest, Rear Admiral Kanayochukwu Amuche (rtd), commended the club for the improvements recorded over the years.
Amuche, who retired from the Navy over 20 years ago, said though there were more challenges now compared to his days, the crop of Naval sailors were also confronting them.
He urged the participants to continue to give in their best in their jobs as well as improving watersports development in the country, urging the Nigerian Navy hierarchy to ensure the provision of the needed infrastructure.
Referring to the plea for support to the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, by the Club Commodore, Captain Festus Adewuyi, Admiral Amuche said: “Sailing is not simple, it’s not easy, it’s not a cheap sport. The boats and the sails cost money.
“Unless you invest money into that, you may not get the required result to improve as much as you would have wanted to. But I believe that with the expectation of the Navy hierarchy, there will be an improvement in their capabilities.”
Earlier, Captain Adewuyi thanked the CNS for providing logistics that enabled the club to organise the contest.
He noted that it was the first time in the history of the club that it hosted such an event by itself with the approval of the Sailing Federation, a feat he described as worthy of note.
Captain Adewuyi appealed to the CNS to support the club in repairing some of their defective boats, the provision of a standard jetty and other equipment needed to boost their performance.
“I want to respectfully request the Naval Headquarters to support the Navy Sailing Club to carry out the repairs for some of our boats.
“The club has about 38 boats which include LASA, JP Porting, Osprey and Kayaks. However, the club has been sustaining the repairs of these boats in order to make them available for use.
“Also, the Navy Sailing Club is in dire need of a standard jetty because what we are using is made of wood which requires constant maintenance.
The Club Commodore thanked the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Nava Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Michael Oamen, for his support to the club, appreciating the Navy Week’s Main Organising Committee for proper coordination of the event.
Chief Staff Officer (CSO), Naval Doctrine Command (NAVDOC), Rear Admiral Chidi Okpala, called on the Sailing Federation to bring more support for the club, noting that it was developing talents that will represent Nigeria even in future sailing sports.
“I think it’s time to give them the recognition that they deserve. They’ve done so well and what we are seeing today is collective efforts under the wonderful leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff and his support to the Club. So, I think the CNS has been phenomenal in terms of supporting all fabrics of culture that has to do with the Navy and the larger spectrum of Nigeria,” he said.
