A Trusted History of the NUGA Games in Nigeria
History of the NUGA Games: When did it start?
The Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) was founded in July 1965, shortly after the first West African University Games, which were held earlier that year at the University of Ibadan.
In Nigeria, university-level sports events are organised by the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA).
It hosts the University Games, an inter-university sports competition.
The first Nigerian University Games was held in 1966 at the University of Ibadan.
At the time, Nigeria had five universities: the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the University of Lagos, Akoka, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
NUGA currently has over eighty universities as members, including both private and public (Federal and State) universities.
Initially, only a few sports were involved. However, the number has increased.
Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Chess, Cricket, Football, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Scrabble, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, and Volleyball are among the sixteen sports.
Many university athletes have represented Nigeria in international competitions such as the Commonwealth and Olympic Games over the years.
Seyi Olofinjana (Football), Vincent Enyeama (Football), Bisi Afolabi (Athletics), Olumide Oyedeji (Basketball), Chika Chukwumerije (Taekwondo), and Olusoji Fasuba (Athletics) are among the notables.
It is worth noting that many more University athletes have become professionals after finishing their university education.
NUGA joined the World Federation of University Games (FISU) in 1970 and was a founding member of the All Africa University Games Association (FASU) in 1974.
How often is NUGA Held?
The Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) is held on an annual basis.
What the NUGA Games Aim to Achieve
The main objective of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) is to foster unity amongst universities.
The program will aim to instil Olympic values in students in order to foster a more peaceful world.
NUGA aims to educate youths on how to participate in sports without discrimination, in the spirit of friendship, solidarity, and fair play, in keeping with the Olympic spirit.
The Top 3 Athletes that Excelled from the NUGA Games to the National Stage
The top 3 athletes that excelled from the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) to the national stage include Bisi Afololabi (Athletics), Seyi Olofinjana (Football), and Olumide Oyedeji (Basketball).
Other players making marks in the world include Vincent Enyeama (Football), Olusoji Fasuba (Athletics), and Chika Chukwumerije (Taekwondo).
Olusoji Fasuba (Athletics) holds the African record in the 100m (Men) with a time of 9.85 seconds.
Can a university decide not to participate in the NUGA game?
Yes, a university can decide not to participate in NUGA. It is not compulsory.
