More than two dozen of athletes will be adorning the colour of Team AAUA at the 26th edition of the Nigerian University Games Association(NUGA) which is slated to kickstart on March 16 to 27, 2022 at the University of Lagos.
Contingents from Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba(AAUA) which include big-name athletes will represent the 21st century institution (properly called) in various events in the competition ranging from Track and Field events to combat sports, Table Tennis, Scrabble, Badminton, Tennis and Swimming.
One of such big names in the list is Jackson Oluwafemi who is currently the Sports Director of the AAUASU. Jackson will compete in the Judo event.
Another massive name in Team AAUA squad is Ugwu Emeka who won the MVP in the Taekwando event in 2017. He will be hoping to capitalize on his experience in the competition once again.
Full list of athletes that will represent the Akungba-based University at the event in Lagos below;
In Taekwando, Daodu Joel, Egunmwna Glory, Eniomola Omolewa, Daramola Oluwatobi and Ugwu Emeka will be competing for Team AAUA; in Judo category, Jackson Oluwafemi and Alfred Odunayo will feature for the Akungba outfit.
Meanwhile in Swimming, Aluko samson will represent AAUA; Ezekiel will feature in the Table Tennis event while Aladenika Natheniel, Ademoyegun Elijah and Oluwadaisi Faith will compete at Tennis category.
In Scrabble, Akinsipe Ayobami, Olaposi Olasoji and Orumwense Princess will be flying the flag of Team AAUA.
Finally in Badminton, Ologbosere Oluwatimilehin, Aluko Favour, Oyedepo Oluwadamilola, Ihensekben Blessing, Abiola Motunrayo, Adegbeite Toibat, Ayodele Glory and Ugwu Emeka will represent Team AAUA at the competition.
Other events that AAUA athletes will be competing at includes 400m hurdle,1500 race,100m, Long jump, Shot put throw, Javelin, High jump and Discus throw.
The first Nigerian University Games took place in 1966 which was held at the University of Ibadan with just five Universities in Nigeria that participated in the competition in that year.
However, NUGA currently have over eighty Universities as members and this cut across private and public (Federal and State) owned.
Over the years, many University athletes have represented Nigeria at various international competitions like the Commonwealth and Olympic Games. Some of the notable ones include Seyi Olofinjana (Football), Vincent Enyeama (Football), Bisi Afoloabi (Athletics), Olumide Oyedeji (Basketball), Chika Chukwumerije (Taekwondo) and Olusoji Fasuba (Athletics), who is the current African record holder in 100 metres (Men) with a time of 9.85 seconds.
