NUGA qualifiers kicks off at Gombe varsity

@haroungimba The Zone E preliminaries for the forthcoming Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) has commenced at the Gombe State University (GSU).

Nine out of the 17 universities expected from the zone are competing in 13 games jointly hosted by the GSU and the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), for ticket to represent their respective universities at the finale scheduled for April 1930 at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State.

In a welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of GSU, Professor Ibrahim Musa Umar, said the games is a forum where students converge to compete as well as foster long lasting friendship.

He said the games will provide an avenue to produce sports men and women who would represent their universities both within and outside the country.

Professor Umar urged the competing teams to show discipline and sportsmanship and also cautioned them against conduct that is inimical to the spirit of the competition.

President of NUGA, Professor Stephen Hammafyelto, who represented the

Vice Chancellor of UNIMAID, described GSU as the fastest developing university in the North-East sub-region.

“I believe hosting NUGA will give GSU the opportunity to include sports in its curriculum. This will also give the university an opportunity to upgrade sporting facilities and to bid for

Hosting the NUGA finale,” he said.

Two teams each are expected to qualify for each of the 13 competitive games, with 26 teams from universities in the zone, to be at the NUGA competitions in Makurdi. Some participating universities from NUGA Zone E include Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Adamawa State University, Mubi, and the University of Jos.