By Chigozie Chukwuleta
The South East University Games holding in Nnamdi Azikiwe University will end without burning of the tracks as the organizers have said.
The weeklong event which will come to its crescendo on Tuesday 30th January, 2024 had been on with other sporting events at centers across the university.
According to reports, organizers are planning a separate athletics invitational for universities in the zone to pacify athletes who are hungry to compete.
Speaking to Newspathfinder, the Director of Sports, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Mr Chibueze Ogbonna said the organizers took the decision to have a manageable organization.
“The decision was taken by the SEUGA Council to have a manageable organization. We have over ten institutions in attendance. The decision gives room for proper management of events and selection of athletes”.
“However, it boils down to paucity of funds as major sponsors failed and the university is doing it almost alone. So SEUGA Council decided to compartmentalize the Games to make it easy for the host”,
“The Council decided that it be done bit by bit so that the financial implications will not be too terrible because it is almost by the skin of our teeth that we are doing this”, he explained.
The Director rained praises on the Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Charles Esimone for his passionate drive to ensure the Games hold despite despite enormous challenges.
“Our sponsors major sponsors failed at the last minute. The Vice Chancellor l don’t know the magic he is doing to make sure this goes on because he promised. When he promises, he doesn’t fail”,
“Now the stadium will be launched in no distant time and during that occasion, we will have athletics and Martial Arts Invitationals as part of activities marking the opening of the stadium”, he said.
