Get ready for some serious sporting action! No fewer than 53 polytechnics from across Nigeria are set to storm Offa, Kwara State, for the 22nd edition of the Nigeria Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA). The games are officially kicking off on Saturday, April 5th, at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa.
According to Dr. Oluwakemi Ogungbamigbe, the Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee, this year’s NIPOGA promises eight days of intense competition, cultural exchange, and economic activity, as reported in a press statement.
Students will be battling it out in a wide range of sports, including athletics, football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, chess, scrabble, handball, badminton, table tennis, judo, and taekwondo.
Mallam Abubakar Abdullahi, the Secretary General of the Nigeria Polytechnics Games Association (NIPOGA), confirmed that as of the time of reporting, 53 polytechnics, with approximately 4,000 athletes, had completed their registration. Contingents have already started arriving from various states, including Delta, Taraba, Bauchi, Rivers, Osun, and Ekiti, with others on their way.
Abdullahi assured everyone that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth and successful NIPOGA.
Dr. Kadiri Kamoru, the Rector, emphasized that this year’s NIPOGA is not just about winning medals. It’s about fostering friendship, inclusiveness, and social cohesion among students from all corners of Nigeria.
Kamoru believes that this tournament will serve as a platform for identifying talented athletes and preparing them for international sports competitions. He stated that getting it right at this level would secure the future of Nigerian sports.
The theme for this year’s NIPOGA is “Ijakadi 2024.” “IJAKADI” is deeply rooted in Offa’s cultural heritage, representing a traditional wrestling event that embodies equality, unity, and justice. Just like the Ijakadi festival, the NIPOGA Games will unite polytechnic students from diverse backgrounds, promoting competition on a level playing field.