In the spirit of sportsmanship which is considered as a formidable platform for fostering unity in the society , the Director General, National Space Research and Development Agency NASRDA, Dr. Matthew Adepoju has advocated a level playing ground for the three main Government Agencies in the Nigerian space ecosystem to enhance their intellectual assets for the actualization of the Nigerian Space Programme.
The NASRDA boss made this statement during a novelty football match cum tug of war competition between NASRDA and Defence Space Administration in continuation of the week long 25th anniversary celebration of Nigeria in Space held at the DSA headquarters in Abuja.
Dr Adepoju who expressed desire that the match would produce seven goals each signifying the seven Satellites under the purview of the three Space Agencies in the Country stated further that, he is optimistic of the match ending on a ‘no victor no vanquish note’ which signifies unity of purpose for achieving goals and objectives.
In his opening remarks, the Chief of Defence Space Administration, DSA, Air Vice Marshall Lanre Ibrahim Oluwatoyin who described sports as a vocation with unparalleled ability to unite the Society, added that the future of Nigeria in Space exploration is bright and requires sustained commitment and resilience for accomplishment.
According to him, the unity of purpose exhibited during the sporting activities must reflect in the quest by the Agencies involved for the actualization of the Nigerian Space Programme.
At the end of the competition, which involved men and women drawn from both organizations, the football Match ended in a one one draw resulting in a penalty shootout where the DSA men football team defeated the NASRDA men football team by four goals to three,while the DSA women team defeated NASRDA women team in the tug of war competition.
In the same vein, the exciting football match involving the Management of both Organizations ended in a one one draw with both teams entertaining the crowd with their dribbling skills and attacking prowess which attracted chants and praises by the crowd.
The high point of the event was the presentation of awards, medals and trophies to the winners and other participants in all the sporting activities.
Below are pictures for your viewing pleasure
Alexandra Oladipo
Media and Corporate Communications.