UNICAL Ready To Host 2026 Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA)

The management of the University of Calabar UNICAL has revealed its readiness to host the preliminary stage of the 2026 edition of the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA) Games, VC Prof. Florence Obi stated this in a statement made available to myschoolnews.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi has stated that the Institution is open to hosting the preliminary stage of the 2026 edition of the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA) Games.

Prof Florence Obi made this known while receiving a delegation of stakeholders led by the Director of the Institution's Directorate of Sports in her office.

She thanked the Director of Sport for periodically intimating her on the state of the institution's sporting facilities to host the 2026 edition NUGA games preliminaries, just as she commended her seeking to collaborate with a versatile Sports Consultant, as well as, the Director of Physical Planning in ensuring that all facilities are ready before the commencement of the envisaged games.

The Vice-Chancellor also commended the Sports Consultant for his expertise in the world of sport, adding that, his wealth of knowledge and experience will be welcomed even as she intends to constitute a committee towards the planning of the hosting of NUGA Preliminaries.

She said, "I will set up a committee in that regard that must work together with the Sports Consultant to attract sponsors since the institution has limited resources to fund the hosting of NUGA. I know you will use your experience to do a fantastic job. I urge you to sit and discuss while I look forward to meeting with potential marketers."

Speaking earlier, the Director of Sports, Dr Blessing Anam, stated that the courtesy visit was aimed at intimating the Vice-Chancellor on the state of development of sports facilities towards pursuing the hosting right of NUGA 2026, as well as, seek her approval to commence preliminary planning.   

In a remark, the Versatile Sports Consultant, Mr George Etibe stated that as a Facility Manager, sports have gone beyond recreation to business, hinting that it can attract funds to the institution.

According to him, maintaining and managing sporting facilities will not be an issue since they can be hired out to the public for utilization.

Mr Etibe stressed that sporting facilities such as a state-of-the-art swimming pool will help to take some burden off the university by availing it to commercial use, adding that, even as funding the project may be challenging, the institution will benefit immensely.

He urged the Management to start early and reach out to all potential sponsors and development partners.

In his words; "The earlier we get started, the better. I am ready to serve in any capacity to ensure that we have a successful NUGA game since this is my Alma Mata".