Relay torch aim has been achieved - Nnadozie
Chairman, Media and Publicity, NUGA UNN 2008, Dr. Uche Nnadozie has told whoever that cares to hear that the aim of taking the games’ torch to selected universities in the six geo-political zones has been achieved with two more schools to round off the debuting event.
Speaking to www.vandykesport.com on Monday at the Lagos bus-stop of the torch relay, Nnadozie who said the aim of the torch relay was to galvanize support and create awareness for the NUGA UNN 2008 sports fiesta, admitted that the purpose has been surpassed even before the three-week event comes to an end.
“The aim has been achieved; friends abroad have called to tell us that they saw the event in foreign stations. In Kano and Jos the governors were physically present to receive the torch. Here in Lagos, students are asking a lot of questions trying to know what the whole exercise is all about. That is the aim and we are happy.
“The torch relay is to galvanize the country and make them aware that Nsukka is hosting NUGA, it is the first of its kind, we saw it happen at the Beijing Games and we felt that NUGA should not only look national and international, but set a standard for other tertiary sporting bodies like the NIPOGA and NICEGA.
“From Lagos the torch will move to University of Calabar, then to the Federal University of Technology, Owerri down to the Enugu campus of University of Nigeria, Nsukka and finally to the Nsukka campus, host of the 22nd NUGA event. This is an international practice, we want to imitate it.”
Nnadozie who said Nsukka wants to re-position NUGA, however thanked the private sectors whom he admitted made possible the achievement they have so far recorded.
“Nsukka will want to leave a legacy or a statement that NUGA has taken a new dimension, no more the NUGA of old. For once NUGA is involving a few African brothers in the games.
“Nsukka maximized the participation of the private sectors; they are the engine of our preparation. In fact, they contributed 80% of our spending. The ongoing relay torch is being sponsored by Nokia. Government alone could not have foot all these bills. These are the legacies and also a lesson for future host,” he said. |
