NUGA Games: Now that ADUST Wudil has set  ball rolling

Last week, precisely Monday, 24th June 2024, the Vice Chancellor of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUST) Wudil, Professor Musa Tukur Yakasai  inaugurated the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the forthcoming Zone E NUGA Preliminary Games in his office.

During the inauguration ceremony, the VC expressed his coolness and confidence in the caliber of people in the LOC as members, urging them to uphold and promote the image of the University by organizing not only a successful tournament but the one that will make the University proud.

Prof. Yakasai then stresses the importance of forming the LOC which according to him is to seek partnerships and sponsorships from individuals, private, and corporate organizations to ensure the success of the tournament.

Responding to the VC’s words, the Chairman of the LOC, Prof Abdulkadir Muhammad, thanked the VC and all the Principal Officers of the University for the confidence reposed in them and assured that they will not disappoint.

He then appealed for maximum support and cooperation from all the stakeholders to ensure the success of the tournament.

Honestly, I am very happy with this development because it manifests the seriousness and commitment of the university’s management in hosting one of the country’s second most followership sporting events in the country.

It is certain that the inauguration ceremony of the LOC marked the beginning of preparations for the Zone E NUGA Preliminary Games by the university. 

I am happy that Prof. Musa Tukur Yakasai and his management team had seen reason to bid to host the preliminaries of the games and this is because hosting the 2024 Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) “Zone E” Preliminary Games by the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology Wudil, Kano will mean a lot to the university, its students and the state in general.

As for the university, the event will see it to be provided with multiple sports infrastructural facilities which we all know are lacking in our ivory tower.

And now that the LOC of the game has been put in place, Prof Abdulkadir Muhammad and his committee members need to work round the clock to show that their university is ready for the games.

The LOC should put in its mind that the only way to have the hosting rights of NUGA Games is to do all they can to put all the needed infrastructure and facilities on the ground as quickly as possible. This is because NUGA Games officials do not compromise their standard.

So, Prof  Muhammad and his committee must study NUGA Games demands, some of which are the provision of conducive environment, infrastructure and sports facilities amongst others and do all they can to provide them before the inspection team arrives.

I want the LOC to know that they are hosting what I called a mini NUGA because it is only a Preliminary Games of  Zone E which comprises both public and private universities of Kano and Jigawa states.

The committee must also know that the games are scheduled to hold in the last quarter of this year with some selected team sports events namely: – Volleyball, Basketball, Handball, Hockey and Tennis.

Thus, the ADUSTECH stands to benefit a lot in hosting NUGA because hosting the preliminary stage is believed to be the best stimulus for uplifting the standards of sports and its development in the university in many ways.

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 also help with facility developments in the university, thereby creating more opportunities for students.

Hosting NUGA sporting events will give the school’s immediate vicinity and the state a strong visibility among members of the national and international sports community because NUGA Games is where long-lasting relationships will be built.

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.

More so, it will give the university the chance to bid for the NUGA Games proper in future because they have seen what it takes to host the games. 

I therefore see this as an opportunity for the ADUSTECH Wudil to put itself and that of the state on the world map because hosting NUGA Games can help boost the university’s profile and establish its abilities world over.

The LOC 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.

Consequently, the LOC must know that to get the hosting rights of the 2024 Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) “Zone E” Preliminary Games, they should carefully do the followings:

The LOC must thoroughly go through the NUGA Games checklist to have the needed information of all they need, procure or put in place for a dream to come true.

I am sure that by now the university has sent its notifications of its intention to host the zonal games, the next is the appointments and signing of agreements with the designated officials, marketing sports consultants and other stakeholders.

The LOC should also 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 LOC must start massive admission for the new potential sports athletes to fortify its players’ numbers and quality so that they can win matches for the university.

The LOC should appoint or second the services of good coaches or technical personnel from sports organizations in the state or elsewhere.

The LOC should, without any delay, start the training of players and also start different stakeholders’ meetings for the events.

The LOC must start 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.

The LOC should start procuring training kits for athletes and coaches such as sports attires, boots, canvases and rackets are to be provided for training without delay.

The LOC should constantly be sending its evaluation reports and recommendations to the office of the Vice Chancellor office for his examination.     

The LOC should know and have in mind that time is against them so 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.

The LOC must put all hostels and accommodation for the expected participating universities and NUGA officials in good shape before the arrival of the first NUGA inspectors of facilities and infrastructure.

The LOC must listen to the inspectors’ observations and their recommendations so that they can adjust or inch-up and do away with all the grey areas.

The LOC must before the games, test-run all the rehabilitated and the new facilities provided for the event to witness their worthiness and the quality of the work done.

When all these have been completed, the university should then present the updated and created facilities and infrastructure to the NUGA Games officials in their second and last visit of facilities and infrastructure.

The LOC must follow all the NUGA rules in the issues concerning the preparation and hosting of NUGA sporting events. I am happy to inform the LOC that Prof Garba Musa Yakasai of the Bayero University is a member of NUGA games and Dr. Bashari Ahmad Maizare, an expert in sports  can be of good help if contacted about what and what are needed or need to be provided to scale through.

Reaching that stage does not indicate the ending of LOC’s duties, other logistics work such as printing and disbursement of invitation for the invited guests and their acknowledgements must be ready.

The LOC must continue with different stakeholders’ meetings for the event as opening and closing ceremonies are to be arranged.

The LOC 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.

Finally, but more importantly, there is the need for the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Musa Tukur Yakasai and the LOC members to pay a visit to the governor of the state, His Excellency the Governor of Kano state, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusif and seek for his support as the LOC and the university cannot do it alone.

I am sure the governor will listen and assist the university to develop sports and its facilities in the university.

Goodluck.