NUGA 2026: UNICAL Prepares To Host Over 415 Athletes With 28 Sporting Events In November

CALABAR, CROSS RIVER – The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Professor Offiong E. Offiong, has reaffirmed the institution’s commitment towards making sports a major part of its development agenda as the university prepares to host the 28th Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA) Games in 2026.

Professor Offiong stated this during a press briefing in Calabar, where he disclosed that the university was determined to use the Games as an avenue for talent discovery, youth development and sporting excellence.

The Vice Chancellor said the institution would expand its sporting activities beyond regular competitions by reviving both student and staff sports, with the goal of positioning UNICAL as a centre of excellence in sports.

“We want sports to go beyond the regular activities and competitions. We want the University of Calabar to become a centre of excellence in sports,” he said.

He explained that UNICAL, being among the few universities in Nigeria with well-established academic programmes in sports and related disciplines, had the capacity to discover and nurture talents capable of competing at national and international levels.

According to him, the university’s sporting history has produced athletes who represented Nigeria in major international competitions, adding that the forthcoming NUGA Games would provide another opportunity for more talents to emerge.

“It is not the first time the University of Calabar has produced athletes who represented this country at international events and won medals. We believe we can create another opportunity for more talents to be discovered,” Professor Offiong said.

He also assured that the university would work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure adequate security and a conducive environment for athletes, officials and visitors during the Games.

Speaking in an interview with journalists after the briefing, the Executive Secretary of NUGA 2026, Dr Dorn Cklaimz Enamhe, said UNICAL was fully prepared to host theq 28th edition of the competition scheduled for November 2026.

Enamhe described the event as a major opportunity for the university to showcase its sporting strength, noting that the Vice Chancellor’s background as a sportsman was an added advantage.

He recalled that Professor Offiong participated in NUGA ’90 and competed in judo, adding that the Vice Chancellor’s understanding of sports had strengthened preparations for the Games.

According to him, UNICAL had a strong sporting tradition, having produced athletes who represented Nigeria at major international competitions, including the Olympics and World Cup.

“UNICAL has a history. We have been in the Olympics and the World Cup. Players from UNICAL have featured in serious competitions across the world,” Enamhe stated.

He also disclosed that former athletes and stakeholders had already identified with NUGA 2026 as ambassadors, sponsors and supporters.

Enamhe commended the Cross River State Government for supporting the hosting of the Games, noting that Governor Bassey Otu had assured organisers of the state’s commitment towards providing the necessary support.

Also speaking, the Secretary of the UNICAL Sports Council, Alberto Eja Osang, said over 415 athletes had registered to represent the university across 28 sporting events.

He listed the events to include football, athletics, basketball, volleyball, handball, karate, taekwondo and swimming, adding that sports such as baseball, softball and wrestling, which were previously demonstration events, would become scoring events at the Calabar Games.

Osang expressed optimism that UNICAL would perform strongly, recalling that the university finished 12th on the overall medal table at the last NUGA Games in Jos despite competing in only six events.

“We are winning, and not just winning. We are winning fairly. We want to win through proper preparation and hard work,” he said.

He added that the university was preparing athletes who were technically, physically, mentally and socially ready to compete against the best universities in Nigeria.

The 28th NUGA Games is expected to bring together universities from across Nigeria to Calabar, Cross River State, in November 2026.