The Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) has changed the date for the 2025 competition at the University of Jos. The event will now take place from November 6 to 16, 2025 instead of the earlier planned date.
The announcement was made during a meeting between NUGA executives and the University of Jos management. According to a Press Release by the University of Jos, the meeting took place at the Council Chamber, Administrative Building, Naraguta Campus, as part of the NUGA Annual Council Meeting.
Here's a quick summary of the key points from the release as it concerns the postponement of the epoch event.
Reason for Postponement
Addressing the reason for the date change, the newly anointed NUGA President, Professor Mohammed Bawa, explained that the shift was necessary to allow the University of Jos to complete ongoing projects that will be used for the competition.
He said past experiences had shown that hosting games without finished facilities could lead to problems like the institutions losing these projects and NUGA wants to guard against such happening in Jos.
“After careful consideration and consultation, the NUGA Council agreed to move the competition to November 2025,” Professor Bawa stated. “This will allow the University of Jos to finish some critical infrastructural projects that are vital for the smooth running of the Games.”
To formalize the new date, ensure proper planning and avoid further breaches, NUGA and the University of Jos will sign a Memorandum of Action (MOA), but that wasn't all that happened. During the meeting, Professor Stephen Hamafyelto, a former NUGA president, advised the University of Jos to set up a Directorate of Sports.
He suggested that the unit should be managed by qualified professionals and include experienced coaches in different sports. This, he said, would help the university improve its sports programs and prepare students for national and international competitions.
Professor Bawa also spoke about the upcoming West African Universities Games (WAUG) in Ghana. He encouraged the University of Jos to prepare its student-athletes to participate in events like track and field, swimming, badminton, tennis, table tennis, and taekwondo.
Unijos Management Reacts
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya, thanked NUGA for approving the new date. He said the extra time would help the university complete key facilities before the Games begin.
According to him, sports play an important role in the university’s development. He added that Unijos plans to use the NUGA competition to showcase its facilities and later establish a Sports Institute.
Speaking on WAUG, the Vice-Chancellor assured that the university would prepare its athletes well so they can represent the institution effectively.
The Chairman of the University of Jos Sports Committee, Professor Ishaya Pam, also appreciated NUGA for adjusting the dates. He said the extra time would help the university improve its preparations. He described the new facilities as “legacy projects” that would benefit future students and athletes.
He added that with the confirmation of the new dates, the university would focus on hosting a well-organized and successful competition.
The NUGA 2025 Games will bring together university athletes from across Nigeria to compete in various sports. With the new timeline, it is believed that the University of Jos now has more time to ensure that everything is in place before the event begins.
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