Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, played alongside army veterans against Nigeria’s top military brass, led by the country’s chief of defence staff in an exhilarating seated volleyball match.
The friendly exhibition match took place at an officer’s mess complex in Abuja as part of Prince Harry’s visit to Nigeria to promote his Invictus Games, a sporting event for wounded, injured, or sick servicemembers.
Despite spirited efforts from Prince Harry’s team, which included former Nigerian soldier Peacemaker Azuegbulam, who lost his leg in combat, they lost the match 25-21 to Team CDS, led by Nigeria’s chief of defence staff.
The match saw enthusiastic chants of “Team Harry, Team Harry” whenever the prince’s team scored.
Reflecting on the significance of Prince Harry’s visit, Azuegbulam expressed, “It’s an honour for Nigeria and for Africa to have Prince Harry over,” highlighting the importance of the Duke’s support for wounded soldiers.
Before arriving in Nigeria, Prince Harry had been in London to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. His visit to Nigeria included stops at a military hospital in Kaduna and an event in Lagos aimed at supporting troops and fundraising for the Invictus Games initiative.
Nigeria’s military forces are currently engaged in battling armed groups across the country, including a longstanding jihadist insurgency in the northeast and criminal gangs carrying out mass kidnappings in other regions.
Prince Harry’s efforts to promote rehabilitation through sports, exemplified by the Invictus Games, are commendable, serving as a source of inspiration and support for wounded servicemembers worldwide.
