Kaduna State University (KASU) has emerged winners of the first Kaduna Metropolitan Tertiary Institutions Sports Festival at the Greenfield University City Campus Sports Center Kudenda, Kaduna.
KASU won four gold, three silver and two bronze medals to win the maiden competition, while Kaduna Polytechnic (KadPoly) settled for second position with four gold and two silver medals. Colourful Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), which stood out as the best kitted team, won three gold, five silver and four bronze medals to place third. Hosts Greenfield University was fourth on the medals table, with one gold, two silver and four bronze medals.
Hard-fighting KadPoly lost narrowly to KASU on penalties after playing 1-1 draw at full time in an explosive male football final on the final day of the three-day event. During the medals and trophies presentation ceremony, Israel Baba Musa from Greenfield University won Special Award for participating in all events.
Speaking in an interview with sports journalists during the closing ceremony, Pro Chancellor of Greenfield University, Engr Simon Nwakacha (Onwa of Umueri) said the competition was smooth without hitches. “It has gone very well, the facilities are beautiful, they are world class. For the next edition, it is left for the organisers to determine if to expand it to cover the entire state or not.
“But we must appreciate the importance of sports to individual, community and national development. Some of these national problems being faced could be solved through such competitions by keeping the youth busy. I want to ask the Federal Government, states and pubic spirited individuals to key into such events. Sports can promote our country’s image. For instance, when Tobi Amusan broke the world record, she did Nigeria proud,” he said.
Nwakacha commended the organisers for doing a good job. “I praise the organisers of the event, I must single out the Vice Chancellor of Greenfield University who ran up and down to ensure success of the event. Though they didn’t receive much help, except from the participating schools who sponsored their teams”.
The Vice Chancellor of Greenfield University, Prof. Simon Katung, in his remarks, said the success of the maiden metropolitan sports festival is a morale booster.
He thanked all who made it a reality, singling out the participating institutions and athletes for putting up excellent performance.
