The Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Hayward Mayufai, has advised Participating universities in the 2013 Zone D biennial games of the Nigeria University Games (NUGA), not to allow non- students (mercenaries) athletes participate in the games as it does not reflect the true purpose for which the games were established.
Mr. Mayufai gave the warning on Frifay in Jos during the official falg- off of the NUGA games at the school.
Sixty Nigerian universities are registered members of NUGA, which holds every two years in different zones across the country. The University of Jos is hosting the 2013 edition of the competition for Zone D with eleven participating universities: University of Maiguguri; Benue State University; Gombe State University; Adamawa State University; Federal University of Technology, Yola; Federal University, Kashere, Gombe; ABTI American University, Yola; Plateau State University, Bokkos and the host, University of Jos.
Explaining the contribution of the games to academic performance and social development, Mr Mafuyai said, “The main aim of school sport is to nurture the values that are common in striving to be the best that you can be: teamwork, fair play, respect for one’s opponents, dignity and generosity in victory or defeat and adhering to the structure and the rules of the games in all circumstances.”
“There is clear evidence to show that participation in sports reduces the propensity for young people to commit crime,” he added.
The Local Organizing Chairman Musa Ibrahim, in his welcome address, urged participating schools to abide by the rules governing the games and avoid conflicts. He therefore assured the athletes that adequate arrangements for a successful hosting of the games have been put in place.
Among the registered sports in this year’s competition are: football, basketball, volleyball, lawn tennis, table tennis, taekwondo, judo, handball, badminton, squash, chess and athletics.
