The second edition of the Abia State Tertiary Education Sports Fiesta ended on Friday in Umuahia, with Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, MOUAU, topping the medal table with 110 medals.
Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, finished second with 98 medals, while Abia State University, Uturu, ABSU, came third with 87 medals.
Gregory University, Uturu, occupied the fourth position with 68 medals.
Twenty-four sporting events featured in the festival, including athletics, football, boxing, handball, judo, swimming, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, weightlifting and chess, among others.
Speaking at the closing ceremony on Friday, Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, said his administration considered sports an essential component of the all-round development of students in tertiary institutions.
Otti, who was represented by the Abia State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ikechukwu Uwanna, SAN, said education went beyond the acquisition of academic certificates.
He noted that the participation of 18 tertiary institutions in 24 sporting events would contribute to the all-round development of Abia students, prepare them for the challenges of the outside world and help identify future sporting champions for Abia State and Nigeria.
“Having 18 institutions compete in about 24 sporting competitions is a hit. And we know that this will contribute greatly to the all-round development of our students,” he said.
In her speech, the Abia State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Professor Uche Eme Uche, said the competition was conceived to promote peace and unity among students in tertiary institutions, as well as prevent strife and rivalry among them.