I was overwhelmed when a good friend of mine informed me about the plans for the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology Wudil, Kano to host the 2024 Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) “Zone E” Preliminary Games.
My joy and happiness was not unconnected with the multiple infrastructural development it will bring to the state owned ivory tower which I know are lacking.
But before I proceed, I will first of all like the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Musa Tukur Yakasai to know that accepting to host the preliminaries of the games means a lot to the university as his students stands the chance to showcase their God given talents not to NUGA and Nigeria alone but the world at large.
The VC should note that it is the NUGA officials that decide where and when it will be hosted. So, it is not an overstatement to state that only the universities with significant, conducive environment, infrastructure and sports facilities amongst others that can be given the hosting rights to host Nigeria’s university-level sports events.
I therefore, want the VC to know that hosting the Zone E Preliminary Games which comprises both public and private universities of Kano and Jigawa states which is also scheduled to hold in the last quarter of this 2024 with some selected team sports events namely: – Volleyball, Basketball, Handball, Hockey and Tennis as an opportunity to develop sports and its facilities in the university.
Besides, combining sports and educational development in tertiary institutions is an ideal strategy for athletes to succeed and progress in their sport life and possibly earn a living. The case of Nigerian Commonwealth and Olympics Games champion in sprint and hurdles events, Tobi Amusan who started her educational career in Nigeria, in Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode before proceeding to the University of Texas, Epaso, USA, for further studies is still in our mind.
Thus, the VC should also know that ADUSTECH stands to benefit a lot in hosting NUGA. Because hosting even at the preliminary stage is believed by bookmakers to be the best stimulus for uplifting the standards of sports and its development in the university in many ways.
Therefore, it is no doubt that hosting NUGA games will not put ADUSTECH only on the world map but Kano state in general.
It will make people know that Kano state is truly the home of peace, tourism and hospitality. This is because of the number of tourists that will visit the state for the games.
Moreover, hosting NUGA Games or NUGA Championship can help boost the university’s profile and establish its abilities.
It is also certain that hosting one of the various NUGA sporting events can greatly help the host university with sports ambition to showcase its true capabilities and to enhance their organizing skills. It connects the host with the World of International Sports.
Hosting NUGA events will help with facility developments in your university, thereby creating more opportunities for students.
Hosting NUGA sporting events will also give your immediate vicinity and the state a strong visibility among members of the national and international sports community. NUGA is where long-lasting relationships will be built.
Volunteers will also benefit from an amazing civic experience while helping your school or the state to host your guests in the best healthy, athletic and academic frame they could ever imagine.
Hosting NUGA also enhances the cohesion of the state and the university. Because sharing common goals and hosting a national event will enable your university and the state not only to enhance their visibility, but also to tighten the relations between your citizens and the visitors.
Therefore, the organizing committee you will appoint to do the job must follow all the NUGA rules in the issues concerning the preparation and hosting of NUGA Sporting events.
I don’t know if it is applicable to those hosting preliminaries, but all NUGA organizing committees receive 100% of income from: National television broadcast, National media (including web and mobile rights), National and international marketing including all advertising and promotion of goods and/or services outside of the NUGA Protected Categories, National and international sponsorship generated by the Organizers in any category (commercial sector/local and regional government), Value in kind sponsorship and Ticket sales.
The VC should know that investment in sports infrastructure and facilities is for fitness, leisure and competitions as well as teaching and learning in the concerned discipline and also the enhancement of standards of performance which will make students excel in the NUGA, WAUG and FISU Games.
Therefore, for ADUSTECH to get the hosting rights of the 2024 Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) “Zone E” Preliminary Games, I recommend the followings:
The first thing to do is to look thoroughly at the NUGA checklist to have the needed information of all the university needs or put in place to make its dream to be real.
Notifications of its intention to host is first followed by appointments and signing of agreements with the designated officials, marketing sports consultants and other stakeholders.
Then the university should start sensitizing people within and outside the campus and also identify the number and gender of university athletes and coaches from the university Sports Unit.
The university must start massive admission for the new potential sports athletes to fortify its players’ numbers and win matches for the university.
The university should appoint or second the services of good coaches or technical personnel from sports organizations in the state or elsewhere.
Without any delay, the training of players should commence and staging of the different stakeholders’ meetings for the events.
After all these, the evaluation reports and recommendations are to be tabled at the Vice Chancellor office for his perusal.
The next stage after sensitization programs is the repairs, rehabilitation and construction of the identified sports facilities such as volleyball, basketball, tennis courts, handball court and hockey field to meet NUGA’s standard.
Training kits for athletes and coaches such as sports attires, boots, canvases and rackets are to be provided for training without delay.
As usual progress reports, evaluation reports and recommendations are to be submitted to the Vice Chancellor.
As the games draws nearer, training of the athletes should be intensified so as to organize home and away trial matches for all teams to expose them in different sports before it begins.
I am sure the VC is aware that hostels and accommodation for expected participating universities and NUGA officials must also be in good shape before the arrival of the first NUGA inspectors of facilities and infrastructure.
When the inspectors leave, the university must try and implement the NUGA inspectors reports and recommendations.
Finally, as the competition is set to begin, a test-run of the rehabilitated and new facilities provided for the event must take place to see their worthiness and quality of work done.
After that, the university should present the updated and created facilities and infrastructure to the NUGA officials during their second and last visit of facilities and infrastructure.
At that junction logistics work and invitation for invited guests and their acknowledgements are to be ready and different stakeholders’ meetings for the event to be continued. Opening and Closing ceremonies are to be arranged.
The university should also design letters of appreciation and commendation to all those that contributed to the success of the Games while general reports are to be submitted to the Vice Chancellor.
Before I put my pen down, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Musa Tukur Yakasai needs to see His Excellency the Governor of Kano state, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusif and seek for his support because I know the university cannot do it alone due the huge money it will consume.
He is lucky that it is only a preliminary stage of only team games made up of two states (Kano and Jigawa) with not more than ten universities.
But once the needed facilities are put in place, it will be very easy for the ADUSTECH to in a very near future host the whole NUGA games.
Allah ya taimaka, ameen.
