UNILAG leads, Idahosa varsity sets record

True to its pre-championship boast, University of Lagos (UNILAG) has taken a commanding lead on the medals table of the on-going West African Universities Games Tennis, Athletics and Table Tennis championship, tagged WAUG-TATT. But the toast of the competition, which ends tomorrow, is Benson Idahosa University, which became the first privately owned institution to win a medal in any local or international competition after winning one silver and two bronze medals.

The host institution, UNILAG tops the table with five gold, one silver and two bronze medals, while UNIBEN is second with three gold, one silver and one bronze, with University of Ghana, Legon, which has two gold, one silver and one bronze occupying the third position.

Ahmadu Bello University and UNIPORT are tied on the fourth spot with the two gold and one silver each, while Nasarawa University and LAUTECH occupy the sixth and seventh positions with two gold and one gold, one silver medals respectively.

Benson Idahosa, which has been the cynosure of all eyes at the competition with its colourful attire, caused a major stir at the competition when it grabbed a silver and two bronze medals in triple jump (men) and discuss (men).

Reacting to his team's performance, the leader of the team, Barrister Oyekanmi Adewoye, said that the university was looking forward to snatching as many gold medals as possible before the competition ends. Although he regretted not winning the gold medals in the decided events, he was however, optimistic that the bronze would serve as motivation for the athletes.

Meanwhile, the organisers of the competition yesterday took the athletes and officials to tourist sites in and around Lagos. Among the places visited were the Oba of Lagos' Palace at Iga Idunganran, the palace of the Akran of Badagry, the first storey building in Nigeria and the Slave Port in Badagry.

The athletes were also taken to the Alake of Egbaland's palace and the Olumo Rock in Abeokuta.