By Ikenna Nwokedi
Student Athletes of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Awka will participate at the upcoming 11th edition of the FASU All Africa University Games scheduled to hold in September 2024 to be jointly co-hosted by the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Lagos State University (LASU).
This disclosure was made by the UNIZIK Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Ikechebelu during a special interview session held on Friday, 14th June 2024 at UNIZIK 94.1 FM.
Prof. Ikechebelu stated that UNIZIK Students are endowed with great potentials in the area of recreational and sporting activities as can be seen with their performance in the last edition of the FASU games and of recent the South East Universities Games hosted by the institution recently.
The institution’s numero uno affirmed that as a lover of sports, he acknowledges that some student’s gateway to greatness and stardom could be through participation in both intra and inter universities sporting activities which is also essential for the physical, mental and social well-being of an individual as well as a career path.
Prof. Ikechebelu further noted that as part of his hedgehog concept of ‘HPS Squared Philosophy’ which translates to ‘Happy Productive Staff’ and ‘Happy Progressive Students’, the student would have the opportunity of showcasing their God’s given talents on the court, track and field as well as interfacing and engaging in healthy competition with students from other institition within the country and beyond.
Prof. Ikechebelu said: “Apart from research, learning and community service, it is important that we motivate our students through participation in sporting programmes and activities within the university and beyond as we acknowledge that there are students endowed with special potentials and abilities through their display on the track, field and court.
“I can tell you that this administration will support our students’ participation at the upcoming 11th edition of the FASU games coming up later in the year. Remember that sports is also an avenue to raise our visibility not just within Nigeria but globally, we have this in mind so we will encourage and support our students in their quest to feature at inter universities games,” Prof. Ikechebelu said.
At the last FASU games held at the Kenyatta University Nairobi, Kenya, UNIZIK featured in two events comprising of Male Javelin and Female Soccer. The University won bronze in the Javelin throw courtesy of John Eigege Ochoyoda, who then was a 300 level student of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science with a throw of 51.88 metres, narrowly missing the Silver medal as his opponent Justus Biwot from KISII University Kenya had a throw of 52.36 metres while the Gold medal went to Boniface Kyalo of Kenyatta University, Nairobi with a throw of 62.99 metres.
The University’s Female Football team are currently ranked as the fourth best footballing team in the continent in the latest ranking released by the Federation of African Universities Sports (FASU). It would be recalled that UNIZIK female football side secured a podium finish at the 26th edition of the NUGA games hosted by UNILAG in January 2022 were the institution won a Bronze medal and emerged as the most entertaining and most disciplined side in the female football event of the games.
