By Steve Oni, Ilorin
Kwara state Governor AbdulRasaq AbdulRaman has declared open the 2020 Nigeria Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA) holding at the Kwara state Polytechnic, Ilorin, with a charge to the participating athletes and officials to demonstrate high level of sportsmanship throughout the sporting event.
Represented by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, the governor noted that NIPOGA has proved to be a unifying factor and a tool for fostering national integration among polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of technology in the country.
Besides, AbdilRazaq noted that from time immemorial, sports has helped in developing friendly relationship among nations, building courage, mental alertness, perseverance, discipline, fair play, among others, hence his administration’s commitment to sports development towards maximally and meaningfully engaging the youth, expressing optimism that this year’s edition of NIPOGA would provide robust opportunities for major stakeholders in the games to nurture the spirit of healthy rivalry, greater unity and social interaction that would move sports sector to an enviable height.
Speaking earlier, the President, NIPOGA Council and Rector, Kwara State Polythenic, Ilorin, Engr. Dr. Abdul Jimoh Muhammed, said the biennial sporting competition is being hosted by the Kwara state polytechnic for the second time after its first hosting in 1981.
Dr. Muhammed, who appreciated the state government for supporting the institution, advised students and participants to exhibit the true spirit of sportsmanship, while charging the host community to receive the visiting teams with open arms.
The 2020 NIPOGA opening ceremony featured unveiling of the Games Mascot and hosting of NIPOGA Flag by the Kwara State Governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.
Dignitaries at the event included the Emir of Ilorin, the Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, S.S.G, Chief of Staff, Kwara Commissioner of Police, General Kollington Ayinla, Commissioners of Sports and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
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