NUGA Postpones 2026 Games After Months of Preparations
The Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) has postponed the 28th edition of its games, which was scheduled to take place at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) from November 14 to 24, 2026.
The competition, tagged the “Paradise Games”, has been moved to 2027, although the association is yet to announce new dates.
NUGA announced the postponement in a statement issued on Thursday, adding that updated schedules and logistical arrangements would be communicated through its official channels.
However, it did not disclose the reason for the decision.
The development comes after months of preparations by UNICAL, which had introduced measures to ensure a successful hosting of the national sporting event.
As part of the preparations, the university suspended Wednesday lectures and practical sessions to give student-athletes time to train for the competition. The institution had also anticipated hosting more than 50,000 athletes, officials and visitors.
At a media briefing in June, the university management expressed confidence in its readiness, citing its collaboration with the Cross River State Government and security agencies.
As of the time of filing this report, UNICAL management had yet to issue an official statement on the postponement, while students await clarification on possible adjustments to the academic arrangements made in preparation for the Games.
