By Ikenna Nwokedi
Sports and recreational activities have been described as a tool for youth empowerment, good vehicle for moulding character and an avenue to create conviviality among a group of people of diverse views and orientation.
These were the assertions of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu during a chat with news reporters on Tuesday.
Prof. Ikechebelu who was also the Chairman, UNIZIK 2023 South East University Games (SEUGA) Local Organizing Committee (LOC) informed that at Nnamdi Azikiwe University under the present administration, sports is one of the activities that drive youth empowerment and institutional visibility which is why the institution took the initiative to host the just concluded SEUGA and UNIZIK coming tops on the medals’ table demonstrates the commitment of the present administration under the leadership of Prof. Charles Esimone to develop sports and sporting activities in the institution.
The scholar averred that the institution decided to take the bull by the horn and give a hosting to SEUGA having hosted the inaugural edition two decades ago and also to rekindle the nostalgia for sports followership and participation in the institution.
He said: “We are delighted to have hosted a successful SEUGA Games and also topped the medals’ table as you can see from the performance of our student-athletes at the just concluded games which brought together over 11 institutions in the South East Geopolitical zone.
“Sports no doubt is a veritable tool for youth empowerment, character moulding and conviviality, it’s important to note that the present administration had hitherto drawn out a roadmap for developing of the University and students all round of which sports is an integral variable towards achieving that vision,” Ikechebelu stated.
The UNIZIK DVC Admin also stated that Nigeria competed at the AFCON and players who represented the nation where discovered as talents from higher schools such as universities and even below University level such as primary and secondary schools.
“The Super Eagles competed at the just concluded AFCON and you would agree with me that some of the players were talents spotted from Universities and below the University level such as the primary and secondary schools. We know about the history of players such as Vincent Enyeama who was first seen during the Higher Institution Football League (HiFL) playing for University of Uyo as well as Seyi Olofinjana from the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, these are just a few of the talents among many others which is why it is important to promote the growth and development of sports at the ivory tower,” He said.
Ikechebelu stated that the University is proud to have successfully hosted the SEUGA Games, he thanked the staff and students of the participating Universities while assuring sports followers in the institution and beyond that there is more to come regarding sports engagement at UNIZIK.
