On the 5th of March, 2021, the organizers of the Higher Institutions Football League (HiFL) competition announced the commencement of the 2021 edition of the annual national tournament. HiFL, the football franchise of the Higher Institutions Sports League was established in 2017 and held its maiden edition in 2018. The competition which is open to all members of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA), includes the participation of higher institutions from various parts of the country.
Speaking on the commencement of the HiFL 2021 edition, the Director of PACE Sports, Sola Fijabi affirmed that preparations are in top gear for the upcoming competition scheduled to kick-start in April 2021. Also, NUGA President, Professor Stephen Hamafyelto commended the readiness of the 2021 HiFL organizers in ensuring adherence with COVID-19 protocols.
At the time of this report, over 40 institutions have been scheduled to participate in the qualifying rounds of the competition. However, UI Pioneers, the University of Ibadan’s team side, is yet to receive approval to participate in the 2021 edition. The UI Pioneers have been consistent participants in the league with impressive performances, winning the competition has however remained an aspiration.
While the league fixtures will be revealed later in April, it is expected that big contenders in the league, including the likes of; University of Agriculture Markudi (UAM Tillers), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU giants), University of Calabar (UNICAL Malabites) and others will set the pace for an entertaining and highly competitive tournament in this year’s edition.
Teams to watch especially are UNICAL Malabites and UAM Tillers, who were winners and first runner-up in the last physical edition (2019).
Meanwhile, the three times postponed NUGA games, which was last held in 2018, might receive the green light in 2021. The annual inter-university sports competition had been severally interrupted due to incessant strike actions, the 2019 general elections and other crisis rocking the competing institutions. Professor Stephen Hamafyelto, the NUGA President, has however raised hopes when he stated that the conveying of a council meeting in April will be held to discuss recommencing the NUGA games.
