According to Leadership, Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Benin City, has emerged the overall winner of the 6th edition of the Nigerian Private Universities Games (NPUGA).
At the close of events on Saturday, BIU topped the medals table with 40 gold, 26 silver and 14 bronze. The host university, Afe Babalola University, ABUAD, came second with 23 gold, 28 silver and 19 bronze while Igbinedion University, Okada came third with seven gold, nine silver and 16 bronze.
No fewer than 21 private universities across the country participated in the one week event. The five-time Olympian and Nigerian 200 meters record holder, Mrs. Mary Onyali, was also honoured at the event by the institution for adding “colour, character and candour to the event” with her presence.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, where he was honoured by Ekiti State chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, founder of ABUAD, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) canvassed for reforms in the Nigerian Private Universities Games.
He said that organisers of the games should review the age of participants to between 16 and 25 so that the event could serve the purpose of talent discovery it is meant for.
Speaking about the goals of the games which is to discover budding talents that could be prepared for national and international sports events, Babalola said, “To me, this means you should limit the age of participants to those who possess talents which have not been discovered. Only youths who possess talents which are yet to be discovered should participate and indeed qualify to participate in NPUGA.