By Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
The President of West African University Games WAUG Prof. Kingsley Akpabio says the games are a breeding ground to groom talents that will turn out to be superstars in the future.
Prof Kingsley Akpabio stated this at the opening ceremony of the 14th edition of the West African University Games WAUG at the University of Port Harcourt Sports Complex, Choba.
Akpabio revealed that Nigerian international goalkeeper, Vincent Enyama was one of the stars produced by university games.
He also lauded the efforts of Prof Ken Anugweje in resuscitating WAUG in UNIPORT and urged him to maintain the tempo.
The WAUG President tasked the participating teams to be of good conduct while the competition lasts.
In his remarks, the Rivers State Governor, Barr Nyesom Wike who was represented by the Sports Commissioner, Hon Boma Iyaye said his administration will continue to support UNIPORT in her bid to rule the West African sub-region in terms of sports.
He urged the athletes not to limit themselves to the games alone, but to also go out and enjoy the hospitality of Rivers people.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Ndowa Lale assured the participating teams that the games will be one of the best in the series.
Prof Lale who said UNIPORT had hosted NUGA games two times, winning same six times and three WAUG, expressed confidence that the story may not be different in current WAUG sports festival being hosted by them.
He urged the teams that will win laurels in the games to be humble in victory and wished them a successful outing.
“it is a great privilege for UNIPORT to host this sporting spectacular. WAUG is meant to bring young people from the coast of West Africa together to celebrate sports which is a powerful instrument of regional integration as envisaged by the founding fathers of the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS)” he said.
