UNN 2009 poses a great challenge to us – Okolo
The Games’ Coordinator, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) 2009 Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) Prof. Bartho Okolo has said giving the nation’s university community a befitting NUGA is the biggest challenge facing the first generation university.
Insisting that the university is facing serious challenge sourcing the needed fund to complete ear-marked facilities for the biennial multi-sport event, Okolo however said that despite the global economic meltdown the university is determined towards hosting the best ever NUGA whose record will stand the test of time.
“We are having serious challenge of fund. Most of our programmes for the game have been played down because our efforts have been directed towards securing money to finish the ongoing work. We have not done much promoting the game because virtually every thing is determined by availability of fund.
“Eventually, when we are through with the construction work we would have surpassed the initial budget of N8billion. There was nothing on ground when we started work. However, we want to take NUGA to a dimension that Nigerians never experienced before. If you come to Nsukka now you would notice that a lot has changed.”
On the certainty of the February 23 commencement date, Okolo, who is the institution Chairman of Sports Council, said the two-week event will hold as scheduled.
“The date stays; we are not thinking of any further shift in date, rather we are striving to put everything in place for the game. The game was to have been held last November - December, further shift will not only erode the confidence our sponsors reposed in us, it will affect badly the format of the games,” he said.
The 42-year old games in its 22nd edition will hold from February 23 – March 08 and will play host to over 75 universities. |
