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.