The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) will, for the first time, participate in the Research Institutes Games Association of Nigeria (RIGAN), scheduled to hold from March 14 to 20, 2022.
NASRDA’s participation in the 17th edition of the games under the leadership of its new director-general, Dr Halilu Shaba, is true testament of his support towards the growth and development of the agency.
The NASRDA FC Coach Yapshak Joseph, saluted the agency’s RIGAN Council members Olayode Abdurasaq and Abubakar Adamu for their tireless efforts in making the dream possible.
While appreciating the director-general of NARSDA for his sportsmanship, NASRDA’s FC captain, Akeem Adewale, noted that: “The struggle to participate in RIGAN is long overdue and there is no right time than now.
“We are ready for them this time; we will show them that we are really in space to set the pace.”
The 10-day sporting events to hold at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, is being hosted by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) Abuja, RIGAN President, Prof. Owolade Oluwaferanmi has said.
According to him, participating institutes will battle for trophies and medals in 12 sporting activities which include; football for men aged 50 years and above, volleyball for male athletes 50 years and above and women ed m 45 years and older.
A statement by the head, media and corporate branding, Institutes of Space Science and Engineering, NASRDA, Olayode Abdurasaq, said other sports include badminton, table tennis, tennis, squash, darts draught, chess scrabble and,’ayo’ – veterans and digital for men and women within the age bracket of 45 and 50 years, respectively.
About 2,500 sportsmen and women from 30 research and development institutes across the country are expected to participate in the games.
The Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) Ibadan emerged overall champions of the 16th RIGAN Games held at the premises of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NIBRRI) in Sango-Ota, Ogun, two years ago, with 20 gold, 21 silver and 22 bronze medals.
