Date: 2020-02-02

The Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has expressed its readiness to host 51 Polytechnics and Monotechnics for the 20th edition of Nigeria Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA) scheduled to commence on 5th of February 2020 to 16th of February.

Three thousand athletes and one thousand officials are expected to grace the occasion including the Minister of Sports, Mr Sunday Dare and the host governor, Mallam Abdulraman Abdulrazaq.

The edition tagged 'Ilorin 2020' has an estimated budget of N190m.

The Rector of the polytechnic, Engineer Abdul Jimoh Muhammed disclosed this while addressing newsmen and some traditional leaders residing around the polytechnic communities at the campus of the Institution in Ilorin,Kwara State.

The Rector assured that the facilities to be used for the games have been put in proper shape and experienced the hope that the event will foster unity among the participating institutions, encourage discipline and enhance physical fitness.

He also disclosed that it is expected that event will remove cultural, tribal, religious, racial barriers and other parochial differences among the participants.

The Rector, who assumed office last year November said:

"Although the games ought to have come up last year December just a month after my resumption, but I eventually appealed to the National Executive of NIPOGA for postponement to February 2020," said Jimoh Muhammed.

"It was for us to have proper arrangements for the successful hosting of the game."

On security during the event, the Rector confirmed that the school had established partnership with all the security agencies in the state, including the Army to ensure the event goes on peacefully.

The Rector, however, urged traditional leaders around the polytechnic communities to be friendly to all the visitors that are coming for the games, as most of them might be visiting the state for the first time to have memorable experience about the state and its people.

"We should all be ready to assist, interact, direct our guests who are relatively new to this state," Jimoh Muhammed added.

"We must all avoid being hostile to our guests as much as we can, to display affable disposition before, during and after the event, because they rely on us to always guide them properly whenever occasion demands."

The Rector also called on the host and visitors in the forthcoming games to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship to solidify the existing peace, and harmony in which Kwara State is known for during the event.

While considering the numbers of games contingents will be competing for during the event, such as Volleyball, Table Tennis, Scrabble, Hockey, Athletics, Handball, Tennis, Basket Ball, Chess, Badminton, Taekwondo and Football, the Rector said, the Institution will also make use of some facilities at the Kwara state stadium for quality hosting.

He announced that adequate accommodation arrangements have been put in place while drugs would be purchased with experienced medical personnel for the athletes, and invited guests in case of any eventuality.