The Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku said the annual sports competition of the Authority remains vital for the physical and mental development of staff as they carry out the demanding tasks across airports in Nigeria.

Mrs. Kuku, who spoke when she declared open the sports game at the FAAN Secondary School in Lagos, also emphasized the importance of sports in enhancing staff wellbeing and productivity.

The MD/CEO, who was represented by the Director of Airport Operations, Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood, noted that the event was not merely a competition but a platform to foster teamwork, discipline, and unity among employees, all of which are crucial for the effective operation of the nation’s airports.

She affirmed that “Sports help in building resilience, promoting physical fitness, and enhancing mental alertness,” urging participants to exhibit fair play and camaraderie throughout the competition.

Capt. Mahmood, who led other top management staff, including the Director of Human Resources and Administration, Dr. Lukman Eniola, to perform the ceremonial kickoff, echoed the call for fair play and teamwork.

The opening ceremony featured a lively novelty football match between management staff teams tagged Team Blue and Team Yellow, comprising both male and female players drawn from different directorates.

The Authority explained that the novelty match was designed to boost staff morale, improve team cohesion, and foster a sense of community within the organisation – key ingredients for improved productivity.

Other activities at the opening included inter-directorate cycling events, with both male and female cyclists participating from across all departments of the Authority.

In the major football match of the day, the Directorate of Aviation Security Services (DASS), the defending champions, faced the Directorate of Engineering Services (DES), after the tense encounter, DES triumphed with a 1-0 victory, ending DASS’s reign as champions.

Speaking after the match, Dr. Eniola commended the participants and described the opening day as “a good start,” saying the objective of bringing staff together in a spirit of friendship and competition had been achieved.

He urged all teams to maintain the spirit of fair play while striving for victory, adding that the competition would also serve as a platform to identify talented players for future inter-agency and Civil Service Games.

“At the end of the competition, we hope to select a strong team that will represent FAAN at the Civil Service Games and compete favourably with other aviation agencies,” he said.

Last year, DASS had emerged champions after defeating the Managing Director/Directorate of Legal Services (MD/DLS) 5-4 on penalties, following a 2-2 draw at regulation time.

The Directorate of Airport Operations (DAO) finished third after edging the DES 6-5 on penalties in a thrilling encounter.

The airport management agency said this year’s event promises even more excitement as staff from various directorates compete for glory, unity, and wellness — reflecting the Authority’s belief that sports are essential for building a healthy, motivated, and productive workforce.