Sports: History Is Made As AE-FUNAI Competes In 26 NUGA Games

BY Our Correspondent History has been made as Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, for the first time, is among the Nigerian Universities that converged at the University of Lagos, Akoka, for the ongoing Nigerian Universities Games, holding from 16th to 26th March, 2022.

The University had participated in the last edition of NUGA on observatory status. Nevertheless, in this 26th edition of the games, the University is competing in 6 sporting events - football (male), basketball (male), taekwondo, table tennis, Chess and Scrabble, having earlier qualified to represent the Southeast, NUGA Zone O in the finals in those events Speaking at the opening ceremony of the games held on the 19th of March, 2022, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Sunday Elom said he was excited as it is the first time the University is competing in the games, pointing out that at the parade the University’s contingent was outstanding compared to their counterparts from older universities. He added that with the fighting spirit and sportsmanship being displayed by the University’s contingent, the sporting world should expect something great from them. The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Prof Dennis Akoh, advised the contingent not to be scared or intimidated by the antics of students of older Universities who have been participating in NUGA for years, charging them to bear in mind that they are facing their fellow students who also are representing their various universities. While speaking after the opening ceremony, the Head of the University’s Sports Unit, Mr. Yinka Olawoyin said the University is competing at the games to win medals; as such the contingent will do their best to ensure that the goal is achieved. The highlight of the opening ceremony was the presence of the Pro- Chancellor and Chairman of the University Governing Council, Emeritus Prof. Nimi Briggs who was around to cheer, motivate and wish the University’s contingent well in the games.