26th NUGA Games Scheduled For March 2022
The 26th edition of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) will be held at the University of Lagos from March 16 to 27, 2022. The new date was proposed by the University and endorsed by members of the NUGA Council.
The University of Lagos got the hosting rights in 2017 during the closing ceremony of the Games at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, and was scheduled for 2019. After an initial postponement to 2020, the Games were once again halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted sporting activities across the globe.
In creating a memorable University Games in Nigeria, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, assured NUGA’s executive committee members of a hitch-free cosmopolitan Games that will set a trend of other hosts of university games going forward.
“We appreciate the fact that NUGA awarded us the hosting rights, though we were not the only ones who showed interest,” Ogundipe said.
“However, due to issues beyond our control, especially in 2020, where the world was at a standstill for so many months, and all other unfortunate events that followed, thereafter, we have not been able to host the Games.”
Prof Ogundipe further assured that despite the fact the some of the required facilities were yet to be completed, work is being done at an accelerated pace.
“I want to assure you that things will be faster now based on the commitment we have from several places. What we have done is get those who are committed to getting involved with these facilities,” Ogundipe added.
Prof Ogundipe also stated that the university hopes to put up what he describes as a “Lagos City Games” that would create commerce and engagement across the neighbouring areas of the school’s location in Akoka.
“We are bringing Lagos state in, and we hope to gain adequate support for facilities, logistics and security. I am sure we will get all the required support,” Ogundipe said.
The NUGA president thanked the Vice-Chancellor for his gracious reception of the committee members and enjoins the university to keep to its promise of hosting the NUGA games in 2022.
Chidi Nwoke/The Guardian.
