Funmi Ogundare
The University of Lagos (Unilag), weekend, flagged-off the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA) 2022, with the relaunch of Mascot (KADDI), lighting of the Torch of Unity, as well as a theme song.
This year’s edition tagged, ‘ City NUGA’, scheduled to kick-off from March 16to 26, 2022, will feature 10,000 students athletes and officials at the games from 136 universities.
Speaking at the programme, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, noted that the institution plans to take some elements of the games outside it’s confines to create awareness within the community so as to afford athletes, officials, fans and visitors to watch the various sporting events, as well as enjoy its spectacular ambiance.
He added that the torch will commence a tour to the length and breadth of the country to various organisations, sporting philanthropists and stakeholders.
“This is geared towards drumming support for the games and creating the necessary awareness to herald the commencement of UNILAG- NUGA 2022,” Ogundipe said.
The Unilag brand, he noted, remains the premier brand in the frontiers of learning as witnessed by its landmark achievements in diverse fields of scholarship.
“Our zeal to host a world-class sporting events that showcase the talents of Nigerian youths motivates us to call on our alumni and friends of the university found in all various strata of human endeavour to join hands with us to make this happen,” he said.
The VC expressed optimism that the NUGA 2022 will be a reference point for all NUGA’ games to come, adding that with the facilities it is currently putting in place, talents will be unearthed to represent Nigeria in future international competitions.
“The NUGA games offer us an opportunity to bridge the daily burgeoning gaps between the peoples of Nigeria especially our youths and which gaps threaten our national unity. The games will foster goodwill and friendship through the common passion of sports,” the VC stressed.
The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare who flagged-off the ceremony, said history is being made in Unilag with the games, adding that the torch signifies the commencement of the games.
