NUGA Begins: Would University Of Porthacourt Win Again?

Would University of Porthacourt be Victorious again?

The 26th Nigerian University Games (NUGA) is On!

Finally, The competition began today. The long-awaited Nigerian University Games. With lot of anticipation and excitement, it promises to be filled with alot of drama

Personally, it's a different feeling for me this time. I won't be playing for the university of Porthacourt for the first time in 5 years. This is because i am no longer a student.

However, If you've been following my blog, you would notice that I'm still very much part of the Uniport team.
Infact I've been helping the female chess team prepare for this event.

I couldn't travel with the team because i needed to take a Covid test. But, Thanks to the Female Coach WFM @perpz, I'd be able to share pictures and tell stories of the event proceedings.

---

Oh, I Miss My Playing Days!

---

News Flash: The university of porthacourt female team just won their first round match. An Emphatic 4-0 victory against the university of Markurdi. I've got some pictures from the games, alongside their recording sheets. Enjoy!

_{Iyanu Olowe}

_{Gold Bamson}

_{Gift Dolor}

The games ended really quickly. I understand how first round games can be crucial in raising the team's spirit.

Flashback to the last NUGA games, My team was stunned in the first round. We lost round one to a very young FUTA team. After that particular loss, we never recovered. We ended up winning team Bronze which was bad considering that we were the tournament favourite. So yes, Good opener to my ladies!

---

What About The Male Team

---

_{@tigranspinoza, Alex & @Jonbellionfan}

It took several hours for the male category to finish their games. Just like the female team, they won all 4 boards!..

Anyway I'm not suprised. As usual, we boast of the strongest male team in the competition too. We have a squad that includes an International Master and a Fide master. Infact, in the starting rank, we are clear favourites to win the Chess event.

We also have two Hiveans playing for my team. We have @wildthougts and @Jonbellionfan both representing my school. The latter has been very active on #Hivechess and should he win a gold medal, he has @stayoutoftherz and other Hivechess organizers to thank.

You can follow the chess results on the live server if you are interested. Here are the links below.

26th Nigerian University Games Male

26th Nigerian University Games Female

Today round 1 result in pictures.

The biggest upset in the female category was the host school being held to a draw. For the male category, there wasn't any surprising result.

---

Why University Of Porthacourt Has Dominated Sports In West Africa

---

It's no-brainer that in less than 24 hours, University of porthacourt (Uniport) already leads the medal table. My friend Abasieno won the 800m in the track field events this morning! And just recently, Another gold medal was recorded in the taekwondo event for team uniport.

Thanks to coach Spiff, I'm able to show you the pictures of the swimming team.

Swimming is one sport that determines the overall competition winners as there are many events and many Gold medals to be won. The last Nigerian university games, university of porthacourt won with 70 Gold medals with the swimming team producing about 25 medals!

Speaking to coach Spiff today, he assured me that his team his quite ready to deliver again this year. Coach spiff is one man that i admire so much.
He is a very great coach. In 2017, he helped a 16 year old me build confidence on our trip to the North. Then, I was to play chess for the university for the first time. Young and scared, I was under alot of pressure. I wanted to win badly and at the same time, I knew it would take alot in these kind of events. With his help, I was able to conquer my fears and play my best. Although, I didn't win a Gold, my double Bronze medals felt like a great personal achievement then. A year later, I went on to win Gold at the West African university games.

---

In Conclusion...

---

I haven't written anything in the last 48 hours as my focus now has been divided. However, I couldn't pass the opportunity to talk about the 26TH NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY GAMES and more importantly my female chess team. To talk about how much it means to me as a coach, and how intensed it was to me as a player.

I am seriously considering to fly over this week to watch the events. First, I need to get my Covid result.

Another thing that has made me a bit inactive is the new project am working on. It would be my first Hive Chess project. I would share the details very soon. I hope i can pull it off.

♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟

Thanks For Reading!

_{50% of HBD on this post would go to my female chess team.}