Nigerian University Games Association

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Nigerian Games University Association
FormationJuly 1965
Headquarters2FJW+M6C, Ahmadu Bello Way, Garki 2 900103, Abuja, Nigeria
The President
The President of Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA), Prof Stephen Hamafyelto,
Websitehttp://nugabestwestafrica.com/

The Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) organizes university-level sports events in Nigeria. It hosts an interuniversity sports competition called the University Games.[1] The first NUGA games were held at the University of Ibadan in 1966.[2] 36 Nigerian universities are members.[3]

NUGA approves fifteen different sporting events at the University Games: track and field , badminton, basketball, chess, cricket, handball, hockey, judo, soccer, squash, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, and volleyball.[4]

History[edit]

NUGA was founded in 1966 at the University of Ibadan following the first West African University Games (WAUG) in Ibadan in 1965.

In 1966, the first Nigerian University Games was held at the University of Ibadan the five Universities in Nigeria at that time namely: University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; University of Lagos, Akoka and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Presently, there are over eighty Universities as members of NUGA and this cut across private and public (Federal and State) owned.[5]

At the beginning, only very few sports were involved but the number of sports have over time grown to Eighteen namely: Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Chess, Cricket,E-sport, Football, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Karate, Scrabble, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis and Volleyball.

Over the years, many University athletes have represented Nigeria at various international competitions like the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.[6] Some of the notable ones include Seyi Olofinjana (Football), Vincent Enyeama (Football), Bisi Afoloabi (Athletics), Olumide Oyedeji (Basketball), Chika Chukwumerije (Taekwondo) and Olusoji Fasuba (Athletics), who is the current African record holder in 100 metres (Men) with a time of 9.85 seconds.

It is pertinent to add that many more University athletes have turned professional after completing their University education.[7][8]

In 1970, NUGA became a member of the World Federation of University Games (FISU), and in 1974 was a founding member of the All Africa University Games Association (FASU).[9]

Winners by medals table[edit]

The number of gold medals won in the competition are written in parentheses.

Year Host Champions Runners-up Third place Fourth place
2017 (25th edition) [10] University of Agriculture, Makurdi University of Port Harcourt (70) Ahmadu Bello University (11) Benson Idahosa University (10) University of Lagos (9)
2014 (24th edition) [11][12] Obafemi Awolowo University University of Port Harcourt (63) University of Lagos (13) Obafemi Awolowo University (12) Ahmadu Bello University (9)
2011 (23rd edition) [13] University of Benin University of Port Harcourt (46) University of Nigeria (15) Obafemi Awolowo University (13) University of Benin (10)
2001 (18th edition) [14] Ahmadu Bello University Ahmadu Bello University (40) University of Port Harcourt (19) University of Ibadan (13) University of Benin (9)

References[edit]

  1. ^ "New challenges for universities in Nigerian sports". The Nation. Archived from the original on 18 May 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  2. ^ "History of the Sports Council". University of Ibadan. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  3. ^ "All About The Games". University of Port Harcourt. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  4. ^ "History of the Sports Council". University of Ibadan. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  5. ^ Acho, Affa (27 May 2023). "NUGA Announces List Of Qualified Athletes For World University Games". Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  6. ^ "NUGA to present 100 athletes at China 2023 World Universities Games". guardian.ng. 7 April 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  7. ^ Omoniyi, Oluwaferanmi (2 April 2022). "NUGA 2022: Meet five outstanding athletes who won multiple medals". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  8. ^ "Nigerian University Games Association". www.nuga.com.ng. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  9. ^ "All About The Games". University of Port Harcourt. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  10. ^ Odunsi, Wale (30 April 2017). "UNIPORT emerges overall NUGA Games winner with 150 medals". Dailypost. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  11. ^ "Performance Report of the 24th NUGA Games at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife". Federal University, Otuoke. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  12. ^ "Winners at 24th NUGA Game". myschoolgist.com. 23 February 2014.
  13. ^ "MANY COLOURS OF UNIBEN 2011 NUGA GAMES". Nigeria Voice. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  14. ^ "Official website of 18th NUGA Games".