- By: Gbolagade Ayobami Sunday
“I was also a fantastic footballer during my ND days, when I represented my department, and showed the true spirit of sportsmanship”, those were the words of Professor Kazeem Adebiyi, the Rector of The Polytechnic Ibadan, while giving his farewell address to the team representing the institution in the 2019 Zonal NIPOGA Games.
This encounter was on 18th of October, 2019, at the North campus pitch. To him, competitions of that manner brings different people together, despite diversity and orientation. All these factors would come together to promote unity and peaceful coexistence amongst them.
He also counselled that the participants be of good conduct and free wanting of bad manners and illicit acts. Rather, they should show the whole nation the worth they are made of because good performances are expected from them.
That is, victory is certain for the representatives if they put out the best performances, considering the institution has taken this year’s NIPOGA Games as priority; earnestly providing the necessary support needed by the participants so as to train and prepare fully for the competition. “I’m very optimistic as they go there to compete, they are coming back with gold medals,” He concluded.
However, Mr. Isaiah Babarinde, a participant from the department of Electrical Engineering asked on the clash of the competition with this semester’s examinations and some academic activities which will be taken in their absence during the preliminary stage of the NIPOGA games. However, he got a positive response from the Rector who gave the assurance that every participant is safe.
In a chat with the press, the SUG Sports Director, Comrade Israel Odedele publicized the wide range of games to be engaged-in in this year’s Nigerian Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA). These includes; Athletics, football, table tennis, scrabble, chess, ludo and other indoor & outdoor games, both in male and female categories. “As we go for the preliminary stage in OWO, all players are set to qualify, compete and win medals in this year’s forthcoming NIPOGA games.” He finalized.
Also, Dr. Babatunde Akeredolu eulogized the management for their support towards the competition. According to him the participants are to compete in the zonal game ranging from 21st -26th October where winners at this stage automatically qualify to play at the finals in December in Kwara State. He however urged them to be morally upright, well-behaved and filled with passion in representing institution.
The football coach, Mr. Abiodun Abegunde said, “although there have been constraint by the rain and low level of turnouts by the students, however, high morale and huge preparations by the students will surely bring success for us as we leave to compete in the zonal NIPOGA games at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo and I’m certain that by God’s grace we’ll surely come out as qualified institution in the main game in December”.
Ms. David Bunmi Elizabeth from the Department of Biology who is the captain of the institution’s female football team in her own contribution said, “the enthusiasm, eagerness, agility, moral and financial support is there and as we go, we promise to make the institution proud”.
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