By Ifeanyi Eduzor
Trials for the 30th edition of International University Sports Federation (FISU) Games in Italy has been slated to hold from April 24th – 28th, 2019 at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, Osun State.
The biennial World University Games which started six decades ago in Torino, Italy will be staged in Napoli, Italy from July 3rd – 14th, 2019, and it will feature 18 various sporting events.
President, Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA), Prof. Stephen Hamafyelto stated that trials for five sporting events namely; athletics, judo, tennis, table -tennis and taekwondo in which Nigeria will be participating at the games will commence as scheduled.
Prof. Hamafyelto said: “Preparations for FISU Games 2019 in Napoli, has commenced. Trials will hold from April 24th – 28th at OAU and we expect universities participating in the trials to start intensive training of their athletes.
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“Weight categories for judo are -66kg, -73kg, -81kg, -90kg, +90kg for men while women category has -52kg, -57 kg, -63 kg, -70 kg, and +70 kg. The men’s team event will feature -66kg, -73kg, -81kg, -90kg and +90. The Women’s team eventare -52kg, -57kg, -63kg, -70kg, +70kg.
“The taekwondo men’s categories are -58 kg, -63 kg, -68 kg, -74 kg, -80 kg, and -87 kg. Women event are -49 kg, -53 kg, -57 kg, -62 kg, -67 kg, -73 kg,” he explained.
The University don advised institutions coming with athletes in judo and taekwondo to be mindful of the weight categories as officials will not compromise on the guidelines explaining that letters of invitation for the trials have been sent out by the Secretary General of NUGA.
Athletes who successfully make the trials will be invited for a close camping in June. Only athletes whose Universities paid their AVCNU/NUGA dues will be eligible to make the final team for FISU, as NUGA is not under any obligation to contact Vice Chancellors on individual basis.