About 3,000 sportsmen and women from at least 20 Universities in Nigeria are expected at the 13th edition of the Nigerian Universities Staff Sports Association (NUSSA) holding at the University of Ilorin.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Friday at the pre-games press conference of the event, the vice chancellor of the University, Professor Abdulkareem Age, said that the sporting fiesta would involve both academic and non-academic staff of the participating universities.
The event is expected to feature games such as athletics, Ayo, badminton, basketball, volleyball, chess, draft, handball, scrabble, swimming, table tennis, and lawn tennis among others.
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Represented by the NUSSA president, Professor Basil Eke, the vice chancellor said that part of the aim of the sporting event was to encourage sportsmanship among staff of Nigerian universities and familiarise in a relaxed atmosphere.
“we need to encourage sportsmanship in all our affairs, be it academics, corporate world or politics. Someone who is familiar with sports games would always have the mindset that a winner must emerge at a time in every competition. So, sportsmanship is imbibed as enshrined in games, and carried on in all aspects of human life.
“more so, sports is an important aspect of our life. It encourages healthy living,” he said.
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Professor Eke, who said that the event would take place between September 21 and 30, 2018, added that the competition is not about winning but participation.
He said that certificates would be issued to all participants, adding that no medals would be presented to winners.
“the spirit is not actually about competition but to know each other better and relate well. There is no age limit as long as participants are staff of each university,” he said.