The volleyball coach of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Michael Oluwaseun, has expressed disappointment over the accommodation and sporting facilities provided for participants at the ongoing Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) 2025, hosted by the University of Jos.
Speaking with Nigeria Education News in Jos, Coach Oluwaseun described the journey from Ile-Ife to Jos as smooth and safe, commending the security arrangements along the highways. “To God be the glory, there was nothing like insecurity. We met several checkpoints on the road, which gave us assurance that security measures have been put in place,” he said.
However, the coach lamented the poor state of accommodation provided for the athletes, noting that their lodge was far from the sporting venue. “The accommodation is nothing to write home about. We are about 20 minutes away from the sports centre, and despite our complaints, we were told that’s the best available. The environment is not befitting, it looks like where chickens are kept,” he said.
Oluwaseun also faulted the condition of some sports facilities, describing them as substandard and still under construction. “They called it world standard, but to me, this is not even a place fit for training, let alone playing. The competition starts tomorrow, and yet, the tartan track is not even fixed,” he added.
Commenting on the accreditation process, he noted that it appeared to favour some institutions over others. “OAU is still in the 2024/2025 academic session, while some schools have moved to 2025/2026. Because of that, many of our athletes were disqualified during registration for being regarded as graduates,” he explained, adding that the university management was working to resolve the issue.
Despite the challenges, Oluwaseun maintained optimism about OAU’s performance at the games. “The joy of every school is to see its athletes win medals. We are well-prepared, and our athletes are determined to give their best,” he said.
He concluded by urging NUGA’s organizing committee to improve in future editions. “We understand the economic situation, but from 2022 till now, there has been enough time to plan better. They are trying, but they can still do more. Whoever hosts next should take this as a challenge to raise the standard,” he stated.
