Military Organises Sports Programmes For Wounded, Sick Soldiers

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has said the military has started sports recovery programmes for wounded and sick soldiers to help them to overcome Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, series of events, or set of circumstances.

PTSD has been a reoccurring mental health issue among troops on the front line.

The Director, Defence Media Operation, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, on February 10, told our correspondent that the military has set up Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Centres for troops across the various theatres of operations to address the scourge among troops.

Speaking at the closing of the 8th General Assembly of the Organisation of Military Sports in Africa on Friday in Abuja, Musa said the military had observed behavioral changes among the participants of the programme.

“In my leadership concept, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have also started a sports recovery programme through the Invictus Programme Foundation for our Wounded, Injured, and Sick Soldiers to manage Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“Based on this, we are gradually observing positive behavioral and mental changes among those involved or influenced through the medium of sports,’’ he said.

Musa also said the military under his watch had integrated sports into its non-kinetic approach to curbing insecurity in the country.

He said, “Since my assumption of office as the CDS of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, I found sports as one of the veritable tools in our non-kinetic efforts in tackling the multidimensional threats in our dear country.

“Further to that, I also envisioned that the promotion of sports is a vital medium to enhance unity and cooperation among members of the armed forces, our families and the general populace.

“This, is enshrined in my leadership concept which focuses on the people-centric approach.”

The President of OSMA, Maj.-Gen. Abdullahi Maikano, said that sport was one of the non-kinetic methods of military operation through participation by other civilians.

Maikano said the aim of developing CISM and OSMA was to bring all the officers and soldiers together for the common good of all in sports rather than in the field of war.

He thanked the CDS and service chiefs for their support to OSMA as well as the delegates for their commitment to the organisation and attendance at the general assembly event in Nigeria.