CALABAR, CROSS RIVER— The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has been officially designated as the host organization for the 28th edition of the prestigious Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA) Games, set up to run from November 14 to 24, 2026.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Teacher Offiong E. Effiong, made the historical disclosure throughout a packed press conference held on Friday at the University Senate Chambers in Calabar.
Mass Mobilization of Athletes and 28 Sports Categories
According to the initial logistics blueprint unveiled by the Vice-Chancellor, the 10-day sporting festival is forecasted to draw participation from over 50 public and private universities throughout the federation.
The ancient city of Calabar is preparing to receive an increase of over 50,000 student-athletes, technical officials, and sports viewers.
An overall of 28 unique sporting events, spanning track and field sports, indoor court games, combat sports, and aquatics, will feature prominently throughout the competition tracking.
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To maximize their home advantage, Teacher Offiong explicitly charged the UNICAL trainee body, popularly known as the Malabites and Malabresses, to commence intensive training routines with the ultimate objective of topping the last competition medal table.
Lecture Suspension Deployed for Skill Identification
In a radical administrative move to uncover raw athletic talent across faculties, the Vice-Chancellor revealed the immediate application of a weekly lecture-free sports window on the school scholastic calendar.
Efficient from the current semester, all lectures and scholastic assignments will be strictly suspended every Wednesday beginning at 2 p.m. to permit the whole undergraduate community to take part in or support preliminary trials.
“No speaker is anticipated or permitted to fix classes or assessments during this designated period,” the Vice-Chancellor alerted.
“We want to prepare our students adequately and find covert skills that will not just stand out at the NUGA Games but will likewise represent the university and the country in future global sporting competitions.”
Teacher Offiong highlighted that hosting the nationwide video games will serve as an instant catalyst for the accelerated building of modern, resilient sports centers within the school borders.
The institution is already laying down strategies to construct cutting edge sports complexes that will serve the university neighborhood and the larger public as an enduring structural tradition long after the video games close.
Acknowledging the vital assistance of the Governor Bassey Otu-led Cross River State Federal Government, the Vice-Chancellor called on business bodies, media partners, political office holders, and the global UNICAL Alumni Association to invest greatly in case.
He guaranteed the NUGA Council of the university’s unwavering commitment to preserving the highest standard of structural company, officiating integrity, and hospitality throughout the historical sports feast.