Over the weekend, the University of Lagos opened its gates to over 75 tertiary institutions for the much anticipated 26th edition of the Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA) Games. with five new events making their debuts at the Games.
A return after more than 5 years since the 25th edition held at the University of Maiduguri, in northern Nigeria, more than 6,500 athletes and officials from universities across Nigeria will converge on the University of Lagos sports complex for this year’s fiesta.
The 10 day event, which began on the 16th of March with the arrival of delegates, will see students compete for medals in 21 events.
The last time the games was held was in 2017, due to lack of funds as well as the coronavirus outbreak which crippled sporting activities the world over and the excitement was reflected in the opening ceremony which kicked off the games with a parade and presentations from the host school.
The University of Lagos vice chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, was especially thrilled about the return of the games.
“You can see that life is back to this sports centre which has been dead for so many years, you can see a lot of activities going on in different centres and I’m enjoying myself,” Ogundipe said. “We have about 78 universities that have come in.”
This is just to show the world that we can organise a program in Nigeria successfully. UNILAG wants to change the narrative that the best is in this country, that there is peace in this country despite all the hiccups here and there and our students are the best.”
Five New Sports
This year’s NUGA Games is remarkable for having an increased number of events from an initial 16 to 21 with the addition of Karate, Boxing, Strongman, Beach volleyball and female soccer.
This edition also introduced new awards for the best behaved athletes and teams as the institution hopes to raise the bar ahead of this next edition.
Athletes to represent Nigeria at the World University Games in China
The University games have produced exceptional talents that have represented Nigeria in the past. Notably former Super Eagles players, Vincent Enyeama and Seyi Olofijana, Olympic silver medalist, Bisi Afolabi, former D’Tigers captain, Olumide Oyedeji, Olympic bronze medalist, Chika Chukwumerije.
To this end, the games’ president, Prof Stephen Hamafyelto, declared that delegates for the upcoming 2021 Summer World University Games in China will be selected from the participants of NUGA games 2022.
The 2021 Summer World University Games, officially known as the Chengdu 2021 World University Games, sanctioned by the International University Sports Federation, is scheduled to be held in Chengdu, Sichuan, China from 26 June to 7 July 2022.
“From here we shall be selecting the university athletes that will be representing us at the World University games in China,” Prof. Hamafyelto said
COMMONWEALTH GAMES
Talents discovered from the games will also represent Nigeria at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in July, according to Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare. He also reiterated the need for a sports and university synergy.
“Apart from the NYSC (Nigeria Youth Service Corps), the only other single largest collection of Nigerian youth can only be found in the Nigerian universities and on our campuses,” Dare said.
“So I am excited about NUGA games coming back live after almost seven years. For us, as we prepare for the commonwealth games in the UK in July, we hope that some of those that will represent us in track and fields, boxing and wrestling will come from the NUGA Games 2022.”
