Invictus Games: 3 Officers, 21 Athletes Applied For Canadian Visa, Not 70 — DHQ

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has clarified that only three military officers, 21 athletes, and a physiotherapist applied for Canadian visas to participate in the ongoing Invictus Games in Canada, rejecting claims that over 70 officers, including the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, had sought visas.

In a statement released on Monday, the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, responded to reports suggesting a much larger contingent had applied for visas. He explained that the Nigerian delegation for the Games consisted of just three officers, 21 athletes, and one physiotherapist. He also confirmed that despite efforts, only 14 members of the team were granted visas, while seven athletes who could have potentially excelled in the Games were denied entry.

Brig-Gen Gusau emphasized that the Invictus Games Foundation had offered to cover the accommodation and feeding costs for Nigeria’s team, along with those of other nations. The team’s participation, despite the visa setbacks, still led to Nigeria winning gold, silver, and bronze medals, thus representing the country and Africa well on the global stage.

The DHQ spokesman also mentioned that the absence of General Musa at the Games, despite being denied a visa, would have been beneficial in boosting the morale of Nigerian troops. He highlighted General Musa’s ongoing efforts to uplift the mental health and morale of military personnel, including the construction of the Invictus Foundation Centre (the first in Africa) to aid the recovery of wounded soldiers.

Brig-Gen. Gusau urged the public to disregard the inaccurate reports and continue supporting the Nigerian Armed Forces in their efforts to enhance national security and care for servicemen and women, particularly those injured in the line of duty.