Ime Akpan
The managing director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has said that workplace sports can play an important role in improving mental well-being, promoting healthy competition as well as encourage teamwork and collaboration among staff.
She stated this in her speech at the grand finale of the ‘10th FAAN Inter-directorate sports competition’ which ended in Lagos at the weekend.
The competition featured football march, lawn tennis, table tennis, scrabble, chess, swimming, badminton and draught.
The other side attractions were taekwondo and cultural displays.
Kuku said the competition was more than a celebration of athletic achievements but more of the spirit of teamwork, camaraderie and well-being.
“We recognise that a healthy and happy workforce is the backbone of our organisation’s success.
“I want to reaffirm that the welfare of our staff is, and will always remain a top priority.
“This sports competition embodies our commitment to employee welfare, fostering an environment where our staff can relax and recharge, build meaningful relationships, and develop physical and mental well-being,” she said.
Kuku added that she was excited to see departments coming together stressing that “this is what makes FAAN a great place to work.”
She expressed her appreciation to the sports organising committee and the participating directorates.
“As we celebrate, let us remember that every directorate is a champion in its own right; every staff member is valued and appreciated and every moment of camaraderie strengthens our FAAN family,” she added.
Also speaking, the director of human resources and administration, Dr Luqman Emiola, emphasised that the true essence of the competition goes beyond winning or losing.
“It is about promoting a healthy work environment, fostering unity, and encouraging teamwork. Victory is not solely defined by winning; knowing when to accept defeat graciously and rejoicing with one another is equally important.
“Today, we are celebrating champions; we celebrate teamwork that strengthens our bond, perseverance that pushes us beyond limit and sportsmanship that inspires excellence,” he added.
In the finals of the football match, the directorate of aviation security services (DASS) defeated the managing director/ directorate of legal services (MD/DLS) by five goals to four in penalty shootout. The match had ended 2-2 at regulation time.
The directorate of airport operations (DAO) squared up with the directorate of engineering services (DES) for the third place in which DAO won with six goals to five in penalty shooutout. The full-time ended 1-1.
In the other games, Timothy Ayinde of the directorate of human resources and accounts (DHR&A) came first in table tennis in the men’s category; Adedeji Babatunde of the directorate finance and administration took the second position while Omoniyi Omotayo of DASS came third.
In scrabble, Taofeek Bello of the directorate of special duties/directorate of cargo development services (DSD/DCDS) came first while; Omidiji Yusuf of DAO and Eludire Kehinde of the directorate of commercial and business development (DCBD) were the first and second runner-ups respectively.
In chess blitz, Ogunfuye Adewole of DAO took the first position while Ojo F. O. of DASS and Efe Idiakhoa of DSD/DCDS came second and third respectively.
In chess classic, Efe Idiakhoa took the first position while Ojo F. O. and Ogunfuye Adewole took the second and third positions respectively.
Odaudu Yusuf of DAO won the first position in lawn tennis while Udoye Fredrick of DSD/DCDS and Abudu Gabriel of MD/DLS came second and third respectively.
In Ayo, Maji Umoru of DCBD won took the first position; Haruna Usman of DASS came second while Ojo Abiodun of DFA came third.
Omowole Odunlami of DAO took the first position in draught while Ajiboye Adebowale of DASS and Herbert Nwawulu of DFA came second and third.
In badminton, Tijani Bappi of DCS came first with Dr Emiola Lukman of DHR&A and Akinnagbe Babs of DAO winning in the second and third positions.
In the female category, Akinwunmi Ifeoluwa of DCS took the first position while Akinsanya Folake of DAO and Oguecheba Jessica of DFA occupied the second and third slots in table tennis.
Patricia Jaja of DCBD took the first position in scrabble while the second and third places were won by Okpanya and Agbo Queeneth of DHR&A and DASS respectively.
In chess blitz, Jaja came first while the second and third positions were taken by Okondo Kehinde and Elizabeth Okewuyi of DAO and DASS respectively.
In chess classic, Jaja, Okewuyi and Okondo came first, second and third.
In lawn tennis, Jessica Oguecheba of DFA took the first position while Uju Okorie and Dame-Obo Nene of DASS and MD/DLS came second and third.
In Ayo, Deborah Adegoke of DHR&A took the first position while the second and third slots were taken by Kehinde Ajanaku and Jaja of DCS and DCBD respectively.
Rhoda Peters of DASS took the first position in draught while Jaja and Okondo were the first and second runners-up.
In badminton, Okorie came first while Oguecheba and Anthonia Onyia of DFA and DAO took the first and second positions.
