WDU Lists Gains Of Hosting Nigeria Private Universities Games

THE Vice-Chancellor of Western Delta University, Prof. Peter Hugbo, is already counting his chickens even before they are hatched, as he looks forward to the opening ceremony of this year's Nigeria Private Universities Games, tagged 'OGHARA 2011' on Tuesday.Over 12 private universities had confirmed participation as at yesterday for the Games, which is the 4th in the series.Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, Hugbo stated that playing host to the biennial games would not only afford the institution the chance of test running some of its sporting facilities, but give the students a life time opportunity of hosting their colleagues from other parts of the country.He said: 'This Games started in 2007 and it takes place once in two years. There are so many Private Universities waiting to host the games and I see this hosting as a golden opportunity because it may take years before WDU gets the chance to host the games again.'The maiden edition of the Games was hosted by Igbinedion University, Okada, in neighboring Edo State in December 2005, featuring athletes and officials from only five institutions.The second edition was hosted by Leads City University, Ibadan, in December 2007 with 10 universities in attendance, while he American University of Nigeria, Yola, hosted the third edition two years ago.According to the Vice-Chancellor, the host institution (WDU), is relatively new, having being established in 2008, but it enjoys standard facilities good enough to host 'a fantastic games.'Athletes and officials from the participating universities are expected to arrive Oghara, headquarters of Ethiope-West Local Government Area of Delta State today ahead the opening ceremony on Tuesday. The Games will last for nine days.Oghara, home of former Delta State governor, James Ibori, is one of the fastest growing towns in Nigeria with a number of state-of-the-art hotels, as well as a College of Education and a Polytechnic. The town also houses an ultra-modern University Teaching Hospital.The famous Oghara Township Stadium, where most of the sporting events of the games will take place, had played host to a number of national and international football matches, including the African Women Championship (AWC) in 2002 and 2006, as well as a number of Nigerian Premier League matches.
Click here to read full news..