The Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) has postponed the 28th edition of its national games, earlier scheduled to take place at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Cross River State, from November 14 to 24, 2026, to 2027.
The postponement was announced in a statement on Thursday, October 29, following months of preparations by the university, which had been mobilising resources and upgrading its sporting facilities ahead of the national competition.
In January, UNICAL formally received the NUGA hosting flag and signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the association, officially marking the commencement of preparations for the event.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Offiong Effanga Offiong, had subsequently announced plans to upgrade existing sporting facilities and construct new sports complexes, including an indoor sports hall and a tartan track at the Abraham Ordia Stadium.
As part of efforts to prepare student-athletes for the competition, the university management also announced that lectures would end at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays to allow athletes more time for training.
The institution further constituted a Local Organising Committee and engaged relevant stakeholders, while its management held meetings with sports administrators and consultants to coordinate arrangements for the games.
Speaking at a media briefing in June, Offiong expressed confidence in the university’s preparedness, noting that it was collaborating with the Cross River State Government and security agencies to ensure adequate arrangements for participating institutions and visitors.
The competition, tagged the Paradise Games, was expected to attract universities from across the country to compete in various sporting disciplines.
However, announcing the postponement on October 29, NUGA did not disclose the reasons for shifting the competition to next year.
The association said revised dates and other arrangements would be communicated through its official channels in due course.
NUGA also acknowledged the support of universities, student-athletes, sports administrators, partners and other stakeholders who had contributed to preparations for the competition.
