The Acting Director, Directorate of Sports of FUNAAB, Dr. Samuel Olabanji has unveiled sporting plans for the year 2020, while adjudging the activities of the Directorate in 2019 as eventful. According to him, projections for the New Year include better sports awareness programme through adequate publicity among staff and students, continuous upgrading of all sports facilities, construction of standard athletic tartan track by the University, and sensitisation towards participating in the highest university sporting event; Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA), which would be hosted by University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State.
Dr. Olabanji further noted that the Vice-Chancellor’s Unity Games is projected to hold in February 2020, with the aim of harmonising, and creating a better working relationship among all cadres of staff in FUNAAB, while adding that staff and coaches would continuously be trained for the enhancement of better productivity; locally and internationally. The Acting Director stated that the Directorate was looking forward to the possession of a sport bus to address the challenge of mobility by staff and students’ athletes.
He revealed that the Directorate would carry out aggressive and mass discovery of hidden talents and potentials among students and those already identified during the 2019 Intercollegiate Sports/Vice-Chancellor’s Cup, hinting that those selected would be groomed to compete favourably among their equals internally and externally. Reiterating the commitment of the Directorate towards winning more laurels, trophies, medals, and promoting healthy participation of staff and students, Dr. Olabanji disclosed that the annual sporting events; 2020 Intercollegiate Sports/Vice-Chancellor’s Cup would be hosted better.
He appreciated the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kolawole Salako for his immense support and contributions towards the last Intercollegiate Sports/Vice-Chancellor’s Cup, revealing that the Vice-Chancellor had given the Directorate the needed support to ensure that the event was successful, as new equipment were acquired, existing facilities rehabilitated and upgraded. Dr. Olabanji described the Vice-Chancellor as a lover of sports, and commended him for challenging the Directorate into raising a formidable team for both male and female athletes.
According to the Acting Director, through the support of the Vice-Chancellor, “Existing facilities were rehabilitated; facilities were also upgraded to aid the wellness of staff and students of the University. New programmes like scrabble, for men and women, were also incorporated into the 2019 Intercollegiate Sports/Vice-Chancellor’s Cup on the approval of the Vice-Chancellor”. Dr. Olabanji appreciated staff and students for exhibiting encouraging attitude towards sportsmanship, stating that they always worked together in the overall interest of FUNAAB.
