Okocha complex hosts Nipoga Games zonal preliminaries

The zonal preliminaries of the 19th Nigeria Polytechnics Games (NIPOGA) began on Tuesday at the Jay Jay Okocha Township Stadium in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State.

Hosted by the state-owned polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, over eight schools are participating in the games featuring football, table tennis and athletics, among others.

Declaring the Games open, Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by Secretary to the State Government, (SSG), Mr. Ovies Festus Agas, urged Nigerian students to be involved in sporting activities as a way to cushion the effects of the hash economy, especially as it will provide them the avenue to make a living for themselves.

The governor affirmed his commitment to sporting activities in the state and called on the students to avoid any act that would jeopardize their future.

Earlier in her remarks, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. (Mrs.) Edna Nneka Mogekwu, said NIPOGA Council continually maintained and promoted friendship among higher institutions, adding that the polytechnic was in Ghana to participate in WAPOGA 2015 where the students won many laurels.