NUGA-UNN 2008

No going back on February date - Okolo
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, host of the 22nd Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA), is insistent on hosting the biennial sports fiesta early billed for November 2008 next February.
The authority of the first generation university which appeared rattled by the decision of the stake-holders of the 16th National Sports Festival slated for Kaduna to hold the event next February stated the Games’ Coordinator, Prof. Bartho Okolo in a telephone chat with Vandykesport.com on Friday that the event would go ahead as schedule essentially to protect the interest of the games sponsors.
“Our February date stays, we are not going to shift it again, and if we do it will not be in good taste with our sponsors. It will violate the terms of our contract.
“I do not know what the organizers of the festival stand to gain by fixing their own date almost as ours.
“Well, I am aware that festival will end on February 22, while NUGA arrival date is February 23, so there will not be any problem.”
Reminded that most of the athletes that the states would feature at the festival are university students, Prof. Okolo who is the Chairman, UNN Sports Council, said the athletes will always cope.
“The truth is that we cannot extend the date further, festival is just two weeks, NUGA is equally two weeks, some championships last as much as one month, and still athletes cope. So I do not see much problem in the way of athletes crossing from Kaduna to Enugu to compete in NUGA event.”
On the state of the facilities ear-marked for the fiesta, Okolo who admitted that funds are in short supply, however assured that everything is been done to meet the deadline.
“Funds are still slowing down the pace of work, but we are forging ahead and determined to complete work on all the facilities before the games starts,” he said.
The NUGA-UNN 2008 will hold February 23 – March 08, 2009.

- Humphrey Njoku, Vandykesport