•Appoints marketing and public relations consultant

With about 140 days left for the opening events of the World University Games, The Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) has appointed Red Sapphire and Integrated Marketing Communications firm to secure sponsorship and partners for Nigeria’s active participation in the games.

Chidiebere Ezeani, Acting Secretary General of NUGA, who spoke in Abuja over the weekend said “This is indeed a great opportunity for Nigerian Students to showcase talents on a global stage and bring glory to the nation”. In this regard NUGA has appointed Red Sapphire Nig Ltd an integrated marketing firm based in Abuja to coordinate the marketing and management of the process.

They are expected to coordinate media, public relations and marketing strategies for NUGA’s participation in the World University Games billed for Chengdu, China in July 2023 and is expected to attract over 10,000 participants from more than 170 countries she added.

The World University Games, also known as the Universiade, is a multi-sport event that takes place every two years, bringing together student-athletes from around the world to compete for honours in a variety of sports.

The Chief Executive Officer of Red Sapphire, Ono Akpe, engaged by the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and NUGA to scout for sponsorship of the Nigerian delegation to China said it will be honourable to have Nigeria fully represented in Chengdu.

Mr Akpe who in this regard coordinated a courtesy call for the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), an association of 221 Federal, State and Private Nigerian Universities who were hosted by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Cui Jianchun in Abuja.

The team led by Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, Secretary General of the CVCNU used the occasion to table requests for collaboration, inter-university exchanges and partnerships between Nigerian universities and their counterparts in China as well as initiate support for Nigeria’s participation at the games amongst others.

The CVCNU team that visited the embassy also included Professors Olayemi Akinwunmi (Federal University, Lokoja), Georgewill Owunari (University of Port Harcourt), Isaac Itodo (Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi), a representative of the Vice Chancellor of ABU, Ms. Chidiebere Ezeani, NUGA acting Secretary General, Ms. Karen Daor, Communications Officer, CVCNU and Mr. Stanley Nkwazema media consultant.

Akpe, who explained on the need to have Nigeria’s flag hoisted in China throughout the duration of the event, said: “Nigeria has a proud sporting heritage and has produced world-class athletes in various disciplines such as football, athletics, basketball, and table-tennis, among others. The Nigerian University Games association and university leaders are working tirelessly to select the best athletes to represent Nigeria at the event.

To achieve this, rigorous training programs and trials are to be conducted to identify potential athletes who will fly Nigeria’s flag and win win medals. Nigeria is expected to compete for honours in seven disciplines, including track and field, swimming, badminton, and judo, Taekwondo, Table Tennis, and Tennis.

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