By Chigozie Chukwuleta
The 20th anniversary edition of the South East University Games kicked off in Nnamdi Azikiwe University yesterday, 25th January, 2024
The opening ceremony event which took place at the Stadium of Nnamdi Azikiwe University saw in attendance over seventeen universities in the South East zone.
Other dignitaries in attendance are who is who is sports in Nigerian universities including the president of NUGA Prof Mohammed Bawa and the president of SEUGA Dr Felix Obiugwu among others.
The Vice Chancellor Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone while declaring the event open and welcoming competitors, coaches and officials, thanked the Executives of Nigerian University Games Association for giving Nnamdi Azikiwe University the opportunity to play host of their 5th edition of the Games.
He said that his administration in it’s desire to achieve it’s vision of Project 200 has the thrust of it’s efforts in the pursuit of holistic development of the student: cognitive, physical and psychological.
” From this perspective we discarded the anachronistic view of regarding sports as extracurricular in education, adopting the posture of seeing it as complementary”.
He assures them of a memorable stay in the University while admonishing the officials to abide by the rules of the game in the spirit of sportsmanship.
In his speech, the president South East University Game Association, Dr Felix Obiugwu explained that the competition helps the students to cement ties and identify their talents.
He noted that the University has the potential to be the best in Nigeria and Africa at large.
Dr Obiugwu joined the Vice Chancellor to charge the officials to conduct themselves in the manner that will help the Game achieve it’s aim.
Director of sports Unizik Students Union Government Miss Berth-Okonkwo Cordelia speaking on behalf of all the competing athletes, promised to abide by the rules of the games and embrace the spirit of sportsmanship.
Speaking on behalf of officiating officials, Director of Sports, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Dr Chris Nnadozie promised to abide by the rules and regulations governing the SEUGA games.
Highlights of the occasion included interesting music performance by the department of Music, drama by the department of Theater arts and Film Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University and match past by all universities in attendance.
Football teams of Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Enugu State University of Science and Technology played the opening game that ended in goalless draw.
