The Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) took place in the University of Lagos with several games played and athletes winning various medals for their institutions. For AAUA Students, the NUGA was not just a tournament but a game to prove their talents.
The long lasting Nigerian University Games Association which has been in existence since July 1965, shortly after the 1st West African University Games that was held at the University of Ibadan earlier that year, elaborately and presently have over eighty Universities as it members.
In it 26th edition in the current year (2022), it accommodated 73 Universities which was organized at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
Among its participants, Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko also known as the 21st century institution (properly called) also took part in the event and was represented by a couple of students in various games in the competition ranging from Track and Field events to combat sports, Table Tennis, Scrabble, Badminton, Tennis and Swimming.
The struggle of success among these institutions began from the 16th of March to 26th of the same month. At the commencement of AAUA victory in the competition, Veteran Emeka Ugwu whom was also named MVP at the 2017 NUGA won gold medal in Taekwando event, another two medals came through for AAUA by
Margret Akhibi and Daramola Oluwatobiloba who both won bronze medals in the heavyweight women category and men Badminton event respectively.
Furthermore, another medal got bagged by Belllo Bukola Sharon whom won bronze medal in the women 1500m event, Daudu Joel Eniola victoriously won a bronze medal at the flyweight category in Taekwando. Also, the incumbent AAUASU Director of Sports Oluwafemi Jackson (pka Jackson) won his first bronze medal in the men’s Judo event.
Perpetuating in the progress of success, Daramola Oluwatobi Olamide fortunately got a bronze medal in the Taekwondo final middle weight male contest while Oyedapo Oluwadamilola a badminton player was named the ‘Most Outstanding Female Athlete’ in Badminton category at the 26th edition of NUGA. She also won a silver medal and two bronze medals for Badminton events.
Having had an outstanding outing during the NUGA games, three students from Adekunle Ajasin University have been selected to represent Nigeria at the forthcoming World Universities Games in China.
The FISU World University Games are staged every two years in a different city. This celebration of international university sports and culture draws many thousands of student-athletes together to compete, making it among the world’s largest and most prestigious multi-sport events.
It is the largest global multi-sports event for student-athletes. The event is a 12days of sports competitions involving more than 10,000 students-athletes and officials from more than 150 countries/regions.
15 compulsory sports and up to 3 optional sports and it is broadcasted in more than 100 countries/regions, earning more than 300 million viewers.
The 2021 Summer World University Games were scheduled to be held in Chengdu, China, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been postponed to 2022.
In a statement released by the AAUASU Sports Director Office reads “Due to the excellent performance in NUGA Games, 3 of AAUA athletes have been selected to represent Nigeria at the world University games that will be coming up in ghendu in China. They are Emeka Ugwu -Taekwando, Damilola Oyedepo- Badminton, Tunrayo Abiola-Badminton”
Emeka Ugwu won Team AAUA only gold medal in the Bantamweight category in Taekwando at the 26th NUGA while Damilola Oyedepo is the Team AAUA athlete with the most medals clinching a silver medal and a bronze medal as a single competition.
Also, Damilola paired with Tunrayo Abiola in the doubles Badminton category and won bronze in the event.
Author
Agbelusi Samuel is a campus journalist, writer, red carpet host, political and sport analyst. A political science student that covers news and politics beats for AAUA INSIDER.