The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria has expressed its support for the upcoming Diplomatic Games Week, scheduled to take place from November 8-10, 2024, in Abuja.
Ambassador Ben Okoyen, who oversees the Office of the Permanent Secretary, conveyed the Ministry’s backing for this recreational initiative aimed at the diplomatic community through a letter addressed to Sòókò Deji Ajomale-McWord, CEO of Diplomacy Publishing & Events.
In response, Ajomale-McWord highlighted that this year’s event, themed ‘Negotiating World Peace & Prosperity Through Sports Diplomacy,’ has generated significant enthusiasm among the diplomatic golfing community.
He noted that the 2024 edition aims to enhance inclusivity by introducing a wider range of sporting events, including golf, tennis, chess, esports, soccer, and polo. Entries are now open to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, its affiliated agencies, embassies, and international organizations with diplomatic status via www.dpeevents.africa.
“We are super excited and grateful that after half a decade of keeping the diplomatic community engaged recreationally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has thought it worthy to identify with us,” Ajomale-McWord said, adding that “This journey started in 2019 because we are in awe of how diplomats are able to help broker and keep the level of peace/sanity and prosperity that our world still enjoys, and DPE — as a firm that uses available tools of diplomacy to advance global peace, prosperity and harmony — thought it necessary to celebrate diplomats and diplomacy. “
Details regarding the venues for the games will be announced in due course, as the organisers aim to promote sports tourism and further diplomatic relations.