The Nigerian University Games Association unveiled their first-ever league system in University Sports this Tuesday. The football league which is scheduled to kick off between on 28 July and will be played in eight zones over a period of 14 weeks. All told, 30 matches will take place. All registered universities under NUGA are divided into two groups, the Atlantic with the southern schools and Savannah for the northern school groupings. The first two placed teams in each division will enter a playoff series at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos. The eventual winner to represent Nigeria at international football events.
Keeping the student in student-athlete, the group system is to aide logistics and reduce travel hours so as not to affect academic calendar. Mr. Olamide Adeyemo, head of strategy at Pace Sports Entertainment said, “we are committed to engage the students and use this platform to help in the development of sports facilities across the institutions in the country and also to give opportunities to students who excel in sports.”
The NUGA believes that football is only the starting sports for other leagues/championships that the association intends to introduce to the university sports scene in the coming years. President of the Nigerian University games Association, Prof. Stephen Hamaphyelto said the league is ready to inspire students to become the next generation of leaders by obtaining excellence through a combination of sports and academics. “We will always ensure the provision of sporting facilities as well as supervise and encourage organized school sports in Nigeria,” Mr. Hamaphyelto said.
