The Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Saturday performed the lighting of the 2022 Nigeria Universities Games (NUGA) torch at the Sports Centre, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka.

The kickoff of the 26th NUGA was marked by a colourful opening ceremony at the Sports village of the host varsity.

In his welcome address, Mr Gbajabiamila said, “We have here men and women who are ready to showcase their talents as I did in some years past, when I was a student in Unilag.

“About 78 universities and more than 10,000 athletes and officials are gathered here because sports is a universal language understood by many across lines.

“In days to come, we will be seeing talents evolving and there is no doubts in my mind about the university that will come tops, my only worry is about the university that will be in the second place.

“Sure, we know that ‘Lagos no dey carry last’. Furthermore, I have seen sports as a means of development and unity, that brings everyone together,” he said.

Other dignitaries aside Mr Gbajabiamila included the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, while Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state was represented by Sola Aiyepeku.

Also present on the occasion were the Managing Director of GTco, Segun Agbaje; Unilag Pro-Chancellor, Olanrewaju Tejuoso; Unilag Vice-Chancellor, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, and a host of others.

Mr Ogundipe, UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, noted that as hosts, the Local Organising Committee had prepared for a successful games, adding that “Today, we stand in the threshold of history to commence the 26th NUGA and the fourth of its kind to be hosted by UNILAG.”

NUGA president, Mr Hamafyelto, said the 2022 event would be the biggest university sports competition in recent times, while the Pro-Chancellor, Mr Tejuoso, enjoined the participants to use the sports fiesta to develop themselves mentally.

The events for the 2022 NUGA are football, athletics, badminton, hockey, cricket, chess, judo, swimming, karate, squash, handball, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, basketball and boxing.

(NAN)