Nasarawa Poly budgets N1bn for NIPOGA 2017

THE Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, Nasarawa State, has entered into partnership with a development partner, A3 Foundation, to host the Nigerian Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA), 2017 edition, with an estimated budget of N1 billion.

Addressing newsmen shortly after a meeting with the foundation at the institution’s administrative block last week Wednesday, the rector of the polytechnic, Professor Shettima Abdulkadir Saidu, said the essence of partnering with the foundation was to make this year’s edition a special one, away from the conventional ways of hosting the event in previous years.

He explained that the partnership would also assist the polytechnic to raise funds from corporate bodies and individuals to be able to meet up with the amount budgeted for the games.

The rector added that the polytechnic is prioritising the games given the importance of sports to human health and the institution’s mandate to educate its students in all facets of life, including sports.

According to him, the games will begin from April 26 and end on May 6, 2017; and will feature football, basketball, and handball competitions, as well as a host of other track and field events.

Also speaking, the founder of the A3 Foundation, Ambassador Aisha Audu-Emeje, said the foundation would give its best to make the games worthwhile, given its track records in organising previous sporting events.

She called for complete women participation in the event as, according to her, there is no gender discrimination in sports.

Ambassador Audu-Emeje, who is also the former First Lady of Kogi State, said the foundation as a development partner would assist the institution to promote the event, source for funds, and ensure proper organisation of the event.

On his part, Ambassador John Fashanu, a football legend, urged all and sundry to participate in the games, saying it would encourage national integration among Nigerians.