UNIZIK Secures Qualification for 2026 World University Games

UNIZIK Secures Qualification for 2026 World University Games

By Admin 

Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has qualified to represent Nigeria at the 2026 World University Games in Egypt after delivering strong performances at the 27th Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) Championships hosted by the University of Jos, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The university’s female football and volleyball teams finished among the top three in their respective events, earning automatic tickets to the global competition scheduled for next year.

UNIZIK competed in eight sports at the 11-day biennial event held from November 6 to 16. These included taekwondo, karate, female football, volleyball, male football, tennis, rowing, and athletics.

The victorious contingent received a warm reception on Wednesday at the UNIZIK Senate Chamber, where they were hosted by the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie, on his first day in office. Prof. Anyaehie hailed the athletes as “excellent ambassadors” of the institution and said their qualification had placed UNIZIK on the global stage for both sports and academics.

He pledged increased investment in student-athlete development, affirming the university’s commitment to discovering and nurturing sporting talent. “We will encourage talent hunt and nurture in this university to put our students in the limelight,” he said.

One of the standout performers was 19-year-old Mary Ogisi, who clinched a silver medal in taekwondo and a bronze in karate. Ogisi told journalists that she turned to combat sports as a child after suffering persistent bullying, a decision that has now positioned her to compete internationally.

Match Commissioner and contingent Media Officer, Dr. Ikenna Nwokedi, commended the team for validating their status as South-East zonal champions and for representing the region impressively at the national event.

Director of Sports, Mrs. Tonia Chukwudi, praised the athletes’ resilience amid numerous challenges, including harsh weather conditions in Jos, travel fatigue from the long trip from Anambra, injuries, security concerns, and the stress of competing across scattered venues.

While UNIZIK did not win the overall NUGA trophy, Mrs. Chukwudi described the institution as “a team to beat in Nigeria,” rating their performance at 95 per cent. She added that the qualification of the female football and volleyball teams for the World University Games reaffirmed UNIZIK’s status as a powerhouse in Nigerian university sports.