Governor Bassey Otu says Cross River State is fully ready and safe to host the 2026 NUGA Games.
He assured that Calabar’s rich sporting history and upgraded facilities will ensure a successful tournament.
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has declared that the state is fully prepared and secure to host the 2026 Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA) competition.
Otu made this known on Tuesday during an inspection tour of sporting facilities at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar, alongside members of the NUGA delegation and the management team of the University of Calabar.
He described Calabar as a peaceful and youth-friendly city with an environment suitable for hosting major sporting events, both locally and internationally. The governor said the state’s long sporting history makes it a fitting location for the upcoming university games.
“The field we are standing on has produced some of Nigeria’s greatest footballers, including Uwenm Ekarika, Etim Essien, and John Okon. The first captain of the national football team was also a Calabar man who led the team to England,” Otu stated.
The governor expressed excitement that NUGA would return to Calabar after 35 years and assured that the event would be a success. He also commended Dorncklaimz Enamhe, Executive Secretary of the Local Organising Committee, for his dedication and capacity to deliver a memorable tournament.
Otu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sports development, noting that in the past two years, his government has revived and promoted sporting activities to restore their pride of place in the state.
Enamhe, while speaking during the visit, highlighted the quality of sports infrastructure in Calabar, describing the UJ Esuene Stadium as the greenest in Nigeria. He also pointed out that the city boasts a standard basketball court, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and world-class table tennis facilities.
“Calabar is home to champions and also hosts the biggest carnival in Africa, which provides a platform for youth engagement. The return of NUGA after 35 years is a great achievement for both the University of Calabar and the state,” Enamhe said.
The 2026 NUGA Games will mark a significant milestone for Cross River, reaffirming its status as one of Nigeria’s leading sports-friendly states.
