Benson Idahosa University has emerged champions again at the just concluded seventh edition of the Nigeria Private Universities Games Association (NPUGA), after topping the overall medals table with 38 gold medals, 9 silver medals and 6 bronze medals.
BIU, the defending champion defeated 25 other private Universities which included, Afe Babalola University, Igbinedion University, Lead City University, Babcock University, Elizade University, and American University amongst others to emerge winners for the 7th time in 14 years of the sporting festival.
During the biennial sport fiesta that took place from December 9th to 20th at the Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, Team BIU participated in Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball, Scrabble and Swimming where they proved their superiority respectively.
The Sports Coordinator, Mrs. Eunice Adebayo-James, commended the organizers stating that games have helped discover talents who could be prepared for national and international sport events.
She attributed her team’s performance to God and the unflinching support from the Management of the institution.
“We dedicate this victory to the God of Archbishop Benson Idahosa who laid the foundation of this university. I also dedicate it to the President of Benson Idahosa University, F.E.B. Idahosa who has always supported our sporting activities through his words of encouragement and prayers.”
She further thanked the Director of Campus life, Rev. Laurie Idahosa for her unrelenting encouragement to sports.
One of the team members, Oduni Evans who spoke on behalf of others said it was a worthy experience to participate in the games as it will serve as a leap of greatness to continually perform exceptionally. He thanked the University for giving him the opportunity to represent them at the national level.
She solicited that the government should support the games as it would help in the development of sports men and women.
Meanwhile, Team Afe Babalola came second with 14 gold, 20 silver, and 12 bronze medals, while Igbinedion University finished third with 10 gold, 13 silver, and 16 bronze medals.
Lead University gathered 7 gold, 5 silver and 8 bronze medals to place fourth position, while Redeemers University were in fifth position with 5 gold, 11 silver and 9 bronze medals. The host university, Nile University, finished with 2 silver and 2 bronze medals.