News: 1,000 Doctors To Compete At NMD Games in Uyo

Over 1, 000 medical doctors drawn from 36 states and the FCT will take part in eight sports at the maiden Nigerian Medical Doctors Games.

According to a statement issued by Dr Osahon Enabulele, the President of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), in Abuja on Monday said the games are scheduled for Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

The statement quoted the NMA president as saying the games would hold from Feb. 16 to Feb. 22.

"The participants will feature in football, tennis, table tennis, basketball, badminton, chess, scrabble and draught.

"Also, the competition in these sports will involve both the male and female,'' it said.

The statement said further that the games were organised as part of the overall strategy to promote quality healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

"The games are also to ensure that medical doctors and dentists remain physically, mentally and medically fit.

"The games are also expected to transform into a West African Medical Doctors' Games, with an improved level of co-operation amongst doctors in the sub-region,'' it said.

The statement quoted Enabulele as saying the national games were introduced by the association's leadership as part of efforts to ensure improved health status and life expectancy for medical personnel.

It added that the games' opening ceremony would have the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, and Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta as guests.

The statement also said the zonal competitions and play-offs to choose representatives from the six geo-political zones, as well as Lagos and the host Akwa Ibom chapter, had been held.

It then urged all Nigerians, local and foreign scouts and coaches, including Super Eagles' coach Stephen Keshi, to be in Uyo to discover talents for Nigeria's various national teams.