Ilorin - President Goodluck Jonathan, on Saturday in Ilorin, pledged the Federal Government's commitment to investing continuously in sports of all forms and at all levels.
Jonathan, who made the promise while declaring open the 13th West Africa University Games (WAUG) at the University of Ilorin, called on the participants to make judicious use of the opportunity.
"Government will continue to invest in sports of all forms and at all levels, and especially at this level which involves the schools and our youths.
"This is why government made concerted efforts to support the host university in putting in place facilities for the games.
"We are indeed proud that the university has been able to put in place good facilities and also painstakingly organise the games,'' Jonathan, who was represented by the supervising Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, said.
While calling on sports and corporate bodies to utilise the games to contribute to national development, he also urged all participants not to miss the opportunity offered by the games.
"Sports is a veritable tool for foreign policy, and we all, therefore, need to build on what we have and utilise this opportunity to create friendship and harmony in our region,'' he said.
In her speech earlier, the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai, thanked Jonathan for his "enormous support'' which enabled the university to put in place facilities for the games.
"These are world-class facilities, and they are indeed an opportunity for the excellence University of Ilorin is well known for,'' she said.
The minister urged the university authorities to ensure that the facilities were judiciously used by the students for sports, and the Department of Human Kinetics for sports development.
"You need to fully avail yourself of the opportunity of these facilities. They should be an avenue for talent-hunting and athlete development.
"This is an opportunity for us at the university level to fully utilise sports to develop self and improve ourselves economically,'' she said.
In his welcome address, the university's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, urged the participants to play the games according to the rules.
He emphasised that "winning medals is good, but it should not be by hook means or crook.''
Also, in his speech, the President of WAUG, Prof. Lasun Emiola, said: "the WAUG Games and championships have in no small ways, brought development of standard sports facilities in all the host universities.
"Our Games also continue to serve as avenues for comradeship and cross-border friendship among our athletes and officials.''
The opening ceremony events saw Kolapo Michael taking the oath on behalf of the athletes and Coach Isa Olororo on behalf of the officials.
Students of the University of Ilorin Secondary School also held a calisthenics display as part of the events.
The host university later faced the Kano State University of Technology, Wudil, in a male football match. (NAN)
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