No fewer than 4000 athletes from 53 Polytechnics across the country will take part in this year’s edition of the Nigeria Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA).
The event is scheduled to hold from the 5th to 12th of April, 2025, at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, in Kwara State.
This is the first time the polytechnic will be hosting the event in its 32 years history.
Secretary General NIPOGA, Mallam Abubakar Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement by the chairman, Media and Publicity Committee, of the games, Dr. Mrs Oluwakemi Ogungbamigbe, made available to Daily Trust.
According to the DG, “53 Polytechnics with about 4000 athletes have fully registered for the games.
He added that contingents from Polytechnics in Delta, Taraba, Bauchi, Rivers, Osun and Ekiti States had arrived while others were on their way.
He said “All things have been put in place to ensure a hitch free NIPOGA”.
The Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee, Dr. Mrs Oluwakemi Ogungbamigbe said the polytechnic is ready for the sport fiesta.
She said the event would spread across 8 days consisting of sporting action, cultural exchange and economic activities.
She noted that the contingents from different polytechnics will compete in Athletics, Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Chess, Scrabble, Handball, Badminton, Table tennis, Judo and Taekwondo, among others.
Daily Trust reports that the Rector of the federal polytechnic, Offa, Engr. Kadiri Kamoru Oluwatoyin has assured that the games will go beyond winning medals to foster friendship, inclusiveness and social cohesion among students across the country.
“This tournament will serve as a springboard for talent identification and international sports participation. If we get it right at this level, we will be securing the future of Nigerian sports,” he said.
He explained that the games, with the theme, “Ijakadi 2024“ is a phrase ideeply rooted in the rich cultural heritage of Offa, a historic town in Kwara State and the host community for the games.
The Rector added that the event will feature a special exhibition of groundbreaking innovations of the school including Okin-EV1; an electric car and Okin-E, an electric bike and bicycle, among others aimed at reinforcing the Polytechnic sectors commitment to the advancement of technology, sustainability and entrepreneurship.
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) Chairman and Deputy Rector Administration, Dr. Salmon Ishiaq Rasheed, said everything, including facilities, had been put in place for a smooth and successful tournament.
He added that adequate security measures in partnership with the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Man O’ War and local security agencies have been emplaced to guarantee the safety of athletes and participants.
