The Takoradi Airforce Base under the auspices of Base Commander, Air Commodore, Maxwell Mantsebi-Tei Nagai has officially commenced the 2012 edition of the Airforce inter-bases sports competition which amongst other things aims at strengthening cooperation and unity among the men and women of the three bases in Accra, Tamale and Takoradi.The biennial competition will feature sporting disciplines such as soccer, Basket Ball, Volley Ball, cross country, handball, and Table tennis.Addressing participants to open the week-long games at the Airforce Base Sports Complex, Flag Officer Fleet (FOF) of the Western Naval Command, who doubles as Garrison Commander of the three Ghana Armed Forces Units in the Western Region, Commodore Timothy Appiah, said aside the fun; the games will keep the officers fit to carry out their duties satisfactorily at all times.He commended the participants for the efforts in preparing for the games and was optimistic that the strength they had gained would be of immense benefit to the service even after the games.“Much as sports is a means to foster cooperation and unity among competitors and institutions, it is even more crucial for us in the services because it is the basic form of ensuring that we keep ourselves fit by all standards. Over the period, it has become a source of worry for the Command that most young people are physically weak. As such, you are all encouraged to put up your best and continue training now not only for the upcoming games but also for general fitness”.Takoradi Airforce Base Commander, Air Commodore, Maxwell Mantsebi-Tei Nagai told Maxx News the games also aims at preparing the men and women for the major Ghana Armed Sports Festival as well as the security services games.“Such competitions build the esprit-de-corps between the Airforce and other services. We just finished an excellent job with regards to the President’s final funeral rites after one week of rehearsals and all that. So in a way, it takes us out of our core business of defence, airport and guard duties and flying so that we can also have some fun”.