Nigeria University Games, Zone D, Kicks-Off At University of Jos

Nigeria University Games

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Hayward Mafuyai, has asked participating universities in the 2013 Zone D biennial games of the Nigerian University Games, NUGA, not to allow non-students athletes participate in the games as it defeats the purpose for which the games were established.

Mr. Mafuyai gave the warning on Friday in Jos during the official flag-off of the NUGA games at the school.

60 Nigerian universities are registered members of NUGA, which holds every two years in different zones across the country. The University of Jos is hosting the 2013 edition of the competition for Zone D with eleven participating universities: University of Maiduguri; Benue State University; Gombe State University; Adamawa State University; Federal University of Technology, Yola; Federal University, Kashere, Gombe; ABTI American University, Yola; Plateau State University, Bokkos and; the host, University of Jos.

Explaining the importance of the games to academic performance and social development, Mr. Mafuyai said, "The main aim of school sport is to nurture the values that are common in striving to be the best that you can be: teamwork, fair play, respect for one's opponents, dignity and generosity in victory or defeat and adhering to the structure and rules of the games in all circumstances."

"There is clear evidence to show that participation in sports reduces the propensity for young people to commit crime," he added.

The Local Organizing Committee Chairman, Musa Ibrahim, in his welcome address, urged participating schools to abide by the rules governing the games and avoid conflicts. He assured the athletes of the adequate arrangements put in place for a successful hosting of the games.

The eleven schools will compete for medals in football, basketball, volleyball, lawn tennis, table tennis, taekwondo, judo, handball, badminton, squash, chess, and athletics.