Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has reaffirmed that the state is fully prepared and safe to host the 2026 edition of the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA).
The governor gave the assurance on Tuesday during an inspection tour of sports facilities at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar, accompanied by members of the NUGA delegation and the University of Calabar management team.
He described Calabar as a peaceful, youth-friendly, and environmentally serene city that provides the ideal atmosphere for national and international sporting events.
“This very field has produced some of Nigeria’s greatest football icons, including Uwenm Ekarika, Etim Essien, and John Okon,” Otu noted. “The first captain of the national football team was from Calabar and led the team to England for competitive matches.”
The governor expressed delight that NUGA is returning to Calabar after 35 years and expressed confidence that the 2026 edition would be a remarkable success. He commended Dorncklaimz Enamhe, Executive Secretary of the NUGA 2026 Local Organising Committee (LOC), describing him as a dedicated and dependable leader capable of delivering an exceptional tournament.
Otu also highlighted Calabar’s historic ties to sports, pointing out that it was the first city in Nigeria where football was played. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to promoting sports, stating that the government has made significant strides over the past two years to restore the state’s sporting heritage.
Enamhe emphasized Calabar’s world-class sports infrastructure, describing the UJ Esuene Stadium as the greenest in the country. He added that the city boasts Nigeria’s best basketball court, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and a strong tradition in table tennis, producing champions of international repute.
“Calabar is also home to the biggest carnival in Africa, creating an avenue for youths to connect and celebrate. Hosting NUGA again after 35 years is a major achievement for the state,” he said.