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OAU Athletes Present Welfare Demands Ahead of NUGA 2025

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  • Olonade Philips
    Olonade Philips

OAU Athletes Present Welfare Demands Ahead of NUGA 2025

Athletes of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, have presented a comprehensive list of welfare and logistical demands to the school management ahead of the 2025 Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) competition scheduled to hold in Jos.

The students, citing neglect and dwindling support for sports on campus, said their action followed “much deliberation and an understanding that sports in OAU is dying.” The athletes, representing different departments and sports disciplines, are requesting immediate and long-term improvements from the university’s administration.

Short-Term Demands (Before NUGA 2025 in Jos):

The athletes have outlined the following short-term requests, which they say should be addressed before the team departs for Jos:

  1. Increase in athletes’ allowances.

  2. Compensation for athletes during the pre-NUGA preparation phase, including both campers and those later disqualified.

  3. Recognition of release letters by lecturers, to prevent academic penalties during training and competitions.

  4. Provision of competition jerseys for all athletes.

  5. Tracksuits for the opening ceremony.

  6. Supply of basic toiletries at the NUGA camp.

  7. At least 80% of the athletes’ allowances to be paid before departure for Jos.

Long-Term Demands:

Acknowledging that not all issues can be addressed immediately, the athletes also proposed several long-term reforms aimed at reviving OAU’s sports culture:

  1. Better welfare and accommodation for student-athletes.

  2. Renovation of sporting facilities on campus.

  3. Provision of standard training equipment.

  4. Recognition for OAU athletes who represent the university in competitions.

  5. Institution of awards of recognition for outstanding student-athletes.

OAU’s Sporting Legacy

OAU has traditionally been one of Nigeria’s top sporting institutions. At the last NUGA Games, held at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in 2022, OAU recorded one of its best performances in team sports — making six finals out of nine possible team events and winning gold medals in four.

·       Basketball (Female) – Gold

·       Hockey (Male) – Gold

·       Handball (Male) – Gold

·       Handball (Female) – Gold

·       Volleyball (Male) – Silver

·       Football (Male) – Silver

Despite these successes, athletes say declining motivation, outdated facilities, and poor welfare are threatening the university’s sporting excellence.

The athletes are urging the school management to engage in dialogue and take proactive steps before the NUGA Games begin. “We’re proud to represent OAU, but we also deserve proper support,” one athlete reportedly said.

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