By Gabriel Agbeja

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says it is determined to advance staff fitness and teamwork through sporting activities.

The Managing Director (MD), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, said this during the maiden FAAN Inter-Regional Football competition in Abuja on Wednesday.

Kuku was represented by Mr Rindap Domtur, the FAAN Ag. Regional Manager of North Central.

According to her, workplace sports, like football, promote physical fitness, healthy competition, teamwork, and collaboration, ultimately contributing to a more productive and happier workforce.

“There is this old adage that says, all work, and no play makes Jack a dull boy; it is not every time you keep talking about work, all through. While you perform your duties, you need to keep fit; you need to be happy.

“You need to integrate. You need to relate with other people from other regions and the only ground for which we can come together is through sporting activities.

“By participating in football and other sports, FAAN workers can develop valuable skills, build meaningful relationships, and improve their overall well-being,” she said.

The MD added that the activity had started to unite the FAAN staff, as other people from other regions that had never been to Abuja got an opportunity to open up networking before returning.

Speaking, Mrs Omotosho Oyinye, the General Manager of FAAN Welfare Management Services, said the exercise would develop emotional resilience and mental toughness towards boosting productivity.

Oyinye, who is also the Chairperson Sports Committee, affirmed that there were minor challenges of coordination during the preparation, said, “υhowever, that “Such minor challenges are expected of every programme of such magnitude.”

Also speaking, Mr Adeleye Taiwo, Local Organising Committee Chairman for the event, said the event would be for a talent hunt to discover more talented players.

According to him, FAAN has had such sporting competition for over 12 years only in Lagos while outstations were not carried along.

“Now we have regional airports, and these people are complaining that they have not been carried along because we have so many talents in all these airports.

“The outcome of this event will strengthen our arsenal in terms of football. The big umbrella of it is the Federation of Civil Service Games, which we always participate in every year.

“This competition that started on July 13, will end on July 22, 2025,” he added. (NAN) 

Edited by Esenvosa Izah and Benson Iziama