UNICAL HOLDS INTERFACULTY SPORTS FIESTA

Students of University of Calabar were at their best during the Interfaculty Games, Stanley Uchegbu 400 Level of Accounting watched the game.

Faculty of Allied Shines at Interfaculty Games

Athletics stunts, golden kicks, dazzling gymnastics and other impressive sprints were in abundant display at just concluded interfaculty games in University of Calabar (UNICAL) which took place at Abraham Odia stadium of the university. The stadium was adorned with glowing lights, something that helped the sportsman.

The interfaculty game was organized under the Office of Director of Sports Student Union Government, Comr. Sunday Julius Iyoma and his Sporting officials. The events include football, scrabble, badminton, chess, long jump table tennis, lawn tennis and volley ball.

Ten Faculties participated; they were, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Faculty of Art, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Management Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences and Faculty of Sciences. The tournament started at about a week ago with faculties slugging it out at the preliminary stage.

This is to show that not only academics activities keep the students busy; they do participate in sporting activities.

Although not all students are interested in athletics, they are only interested in their academics which they see as a major priority. So those who are interesting participated actively in it.

The faculty of Management Science, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences and Faculty of Law made it at semi final at the soccer competition.

Livinus Inyang, A 200 level student of Law was not happy when the Faculty of Management Science sends them home for the second time at semi final stage.

According to him, the four outstanding Faculties were the best team in the tournament. The Faculty of Management Sciences after a reply match with the Faculty of Law, they still defeated them with three goals to nothing. While Faculty of Allied was trounced by Faculty of Basic Medical Science.

After series of matches, the final stage turned out to be the most entertaining in the tournament, as each of the team battled for a chance in the final to lift the trophy. As the players jogged into the pitch, there were loud cheers from the students from Faculty of Management and Spectators.

The players were smartly dressed with blue jersey, ankle pads, and foot wears. The provision for the first aid treatment and glucose was provided for. The Red Cross Society was also on hand to handle cases emergencies.

The players got the students and spectators thrilled as they display their soccer skills and talents.

Speaking to Campuslife, one of the spectator Sen. Faleti Owolabi a from Faculty of Management Sciences, said that he was impressed with the skills been displayed by the two Faculties adding that if they undergo extensive good training they can represent Nigeria in national and international soccer, he said.

The stadium was filled to the brim; the Vice Chancellor was represented. The Students’ Union Government Officials were present. The match ended goalless as predicted by some students of Allied Medical Science.

There was no time for extra time because the day was getting darker. This resulted to a penalty shot out which ended in favour of Faculty of Allied Medical Science which scored five goals to four to defeat the Faculty of Management Science.

Despite the efforts of the DOS, to ensure that the spirit of sportsmanship was recorded throughout the event and do not generate into any skirmish or conflict. The soccer, however, recorded a controversy when an alleged part- time student of marketing department was said to have joined the Faculty of Allied team to play against Management Science team.

The Financial Secretary SUG, Comr. Akpan Blaise who sat looking gloom after disappointing outcome, when confronted by Campus life, he said that impersonation has been detected.

According to him, when the Management Sciences played against Faculty of Law, they had a similar case and three days after the match, Faculty of Law petitioned the match on the ground of impersonation.

When he confronted and queried, they made him understand that there are some players that are not from the Faculty that were found in the pitch, he said if this is sod they wouldn’t have allowed the match to kick off. Even if it is at finals, they should call for a replay adding that impersonation is against the rule of soccer and as a law abiding citizen, I told the Faculty of Management to replay the match with the Faculty of Law which they did. Now, the same thing has repeated itself in Faculty of Allied, I wonder why the match won’t be replayed, he asked’

Fortune Augustine, a student from Faculty of Management Sciences said that before they started the competition, they trounced as a defending champion, but along the line everybody turn against them.

He said that the match they played with Faculty of Law was petitioned, simply because they found themselves as Law students. They conspired and cancelled the match and it was replayed and we still won the match with three goals to nothing.

When Campus life sort the opinions of students, Bassey Nkanu, a 300 level of Accounting opined that the menace of impersonation would have been averted if the provision of technical committee was made adding that they will ensure that the player is a bona fide student of the stated faculty and as well the university.

Speaking in a deep laden voice, Asuquo John said that there should be provision of ID cards which the captain of each team should inspect or cross checked in other to confirm that the passport on the ID is worn by the right player.

The President Students’ Union Government Comr. Ayi Ekpenyong presented medal and cup to the winning team.

Faculty of Education topped the medals table with fourteen gold medals, five silver and six bronze medals, followed by faculty of Allied Medical Science trounced three gold, one silver and no bronze. Others were; Faculty of Social Sciences ( 2 0 0), Faculty of Law ( 1 5 2), Faculty of Science ( 1 2 4), Faculty of Management of Science ( 1 1 0), Faculty of Basic Medical Science ( 1 0 5 ), Faculty of Art ( 0 4 0 ) and Faculty of Clinical Science ( 0 0 1 ).

The female track and field event were equally impressive. In Faculty of Education they topped the medals table with seven gold, one silver and five bronze followed by the Faculty of Allied Medical Science with two gold, one silver and no bronze. Others were; Faculty of Law ( 0 4 1), Faculty of Art ( 0 2 0 ) and Faculty of Agric ( 0 0 2).

The Faculty of Allied Medical Science coach Emmanuel Ilen when narrating to Campus life debunked issues of impersonation adding that the said student is a bona fide 300 level of Public Health. He described the skirmish as medicine after death. They would have raised the issue earlier not now we are ready to lift the trophy.

He thanked the Director of Sports for his role in the success of the event and praise his team for their skills well displayed. He equally appreciated the tremendous support from his Faculty lectures.

Speaking to Campus life, SUG the Director of Sports Comr. Sunday Julius Iyoma said that the essence of the interfaculty games was to raise up sportsmen that will represent the university in the future competition adding that NUGA games is at the front burner. He advised those that won to keep the spirit and urge the losing team to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship by accepting defeat in good faith.

In his words, the Speaker SUG Parliament Comr. Olayi Emmanuel who is from the winning Faculty said that in very game, there are winners and losers, the two cannot be winning at the same time. When you lose, it means that there is still room for improvement. I think the Vice Chancellor will be very happy that we emerged the winner because he is from the Faculty, he said.