NUGA Games of fun, sales and disappointment
Sodiq Oyeleke lists the highpoints of the 24th edition of the Nigerian University Games
The just concluded 24th edition of the
Nigerian University Games left participants with different types of
memories. While some athletes wept for joy wishing the Games could last a
life time, a few others were eager to say good-byes.
The Games started on Wednesday, February
12, and ended on the 22nd at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife,
Osun State. Despite the mixed reactions that surrounded the hosting of
the games, it witnessed colourful opening and closing ceremonies.
The closing ceremony also saw the next
host, Federal University of Agriculture, Markurdi, Benue State, receive
the games flag to signify the countdown to the next games.
Even though the organisation had some
shortcomings, most of the participants adjudged this edition to be one
of the best ever due to the standard of facilities used; the
centralization of events in just one campus, and the method used to
screen the participants.
After the 12 days of competition,
University of Port Harcourt emerged the overall winner. They got most of
their medals from swimming.
Even though OAU got the hosting right
since 2010, the Games, which formed part of the activities for OAU 50th
anniversary celebrations could not hold in 2012 because of the National
Sports Festival in Lagos and other unforeseen circumstances. At one of
its meetings in Ile-Ife, the NUGA committee and OAU management agreed
that the Games should hold between October 3rd and 10th, 2013 but again
this was not possible due to the prolonged Academic Staff Union of
Universities strike.
This is the third time OAU will be
hosting NUGA, which was first held at the University of Ibadan in 1966.
OAU hosted the third edition in 1970, the 10th edition in 1984 and the
just concluded 24th edition.
Dominance
Defending champions University of
Port-Harcourt did not only win the 24th edition of the Nigerian
Universities Game, their athletes emerged the best in most of the games.
For the fifth time, UNIPORT won the
competition defeating University of Lagos and host OAU to second and
third positions respectively.
While UNIPORT had 63 gold medals, 41
silver, and 16 bronze medals; UNILAG had 13 gold, 9 silver and 15
bronze; and OAU had 12 gold, 9 silver, and 15 bronze medals.
Outstanding NUGA
For the first time in the history of
NUGA, there was an all purpose centre. Apart from the existing modern
facilities at the Sports Complex, which consist of an all-purpose pitch
with a pavilion, a football pitch, three tennis courts, one cricket oval
with a pavilion, there was also an upgraded hockey field, handball
court, an all-purpose gymnasium, four badminton courts and one
basketball court.
Allowance protest
But it was not all sweet happenings
throughout the days. The 12th day of the games witnessed a protest. Some
of the officials, especially in race and swimming, delayed the
conferment of medals on athletes. Our correspondent gathered that the
delay was due to the non-payment of their allowances.
One of the officials told our
correspondent, “We will continue when they do the right thing. When they
pay us you will see us back here.”
It was learnt from a top official that
the NUGA committee had to take a loan to settle the officials, who held
out until they were paid. Though the medals were later presented, some
athletes frowned at the quality of the medals given to them. They said
the medals do not have any inscription to show that they won them from
the NUGA Games.
High sales
Smiles lit the faces of traders all through. Behind their joy, the traders said, were the high patronage and profit.
Among the items in high demand at the
event were clothes, shoes, food, sporting equipment and confectioneries.
According to a trader, who identified herself as Madam Ugo, they
experienced more sales from the 6th day till the end.
http://www.punchng.com/sports/nuga-games-of-fun-sales-and-disappointment/
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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