Over 50,000 athletes from 50 universities are expected to participate in the forthcoming National University Games Association (NUGA) Games, to be hosted by the University of Calabar (UNICAL) this year. Speaking on his school’s readiness for the games yesterday, UNICAL’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Offiong Offiong, said that the university is ready to host the best ever NUGA Games from November 14 to 24.
The Vice Chancellor stated that the athletes will compete in 28 games and promised to deliver the most memorable and best NUGA Games ever. “We are fully prepared to host one of the best NUGA games in history. This media parley is to tell the world that we are ready. With unwavering integrity and commitment to excellence and decency, we are prepared to deliver an unforgettable experience that reflects the values of fair play, respect, and camaraderie that NUGA stands for,” he said.
“We are putting in place world-class facilities, including an indoor sports hall to host the game that this university last hosted in 1990, where I competed in judo. The students, staff, and the entire residents of Calabar, the Cross River State capital, are prepared to receive contingents from across the country.”
Offiong, who described Cross River as the most peaceful state in Nigeria, said the state is open to hosting visitors. He added that the university is working closely with the state government and security agencies to ensure adequate security for athletes, officials, and visitors throughout the duration of the games.
According to the organisers, the approved sports for the games include rugby, tennis, table tennis, athletics, badminton, basketball, chess, cricket, handball, judo, taekwondo, scrabble, swimming, football, volleyball, hockey, boxing, e-sports, rowing and yachting, karate, beach volleyball, and squash.
The briefing was attended by the Chief Executive of Builders Consultants Limited, Jorge Etibeng, who is also the UNICAL 2026 NUGA Games consultant, and members of the University of Calabar Sports Council.
