HIFL unveils teams Jersey for the University League and fixtures

16 Tertiary institutions in the country will be participating in  the forthcoming Higher Institution Football League (HIFL) billed to start in July. League participants are drawn from from the first and second generation universities.

Addressing the audience at the Jersey Unveiling and draws ceremony that held on Friday, 20th July 2018 at the Federal Palace Hotel, the Technical Partner of the Project and chief Executive officer of Green White Green outfit, Alhaji Shaibu Gara Gombe elaborated on the selection criteria for the league.

The first and second generation university were automatic qualifiers and  the top three medalist in the football event at the 2017 NUGA games that held at in Makurdi, Benue State. Furthermore, Alhaji Shuaibu Gara-Gombe noted that Delta State University who was fourth in the Nuga games was selected to replace the bronze medalist, University of Ilorin who had earlier been selected.

The head of marketing and Strategy of Pace Sports explained that the league has been divided into four zones; Coastal A, Sahel A, Coastal B, Sahel B consisting of four universities each The winner of each of the zone will qualify to play in the national semi final and final event.

Amongst the participating universities include University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, University of Benin, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ilorin, Usman dan fodio University, University of Maiduguri, Abubakar Tafawa University, Bayero University.

Others include University of Calabar, Delta State University, University of Calabar, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and University of Port-Harcourt.

A total of 30 matches will be played in the competition billed to take place between July 28 and October 27, 2018 in eight zones for 14 weeks.

The Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA) and the Nigeria University Commission (NUC) in conjunction withthe  Pace Sports Entertainment Limited is staging the football competition for universities registered with NUGA. Both parties recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Lagos to kick-start the competition tagged Higher Institution Football League (HIFL)

The Technical Partner of the Project and chief Executive officer of Green White Green outfit, Alhaji Shuaibu Gara-Gombe, said the league will fill the miss link in the football develop structure in Nigeria. He further noted that past effort to begin similar project had failed and this time deliberate effort had been made to ensure the league does not experience the same faith and that the encouragement and responses received from higher institutions across the country have been overwhelming.

Amongst the dignitaries at the event included representatives of NUGA, NUC and ex Super Eagles players Friday Elaho and Daniel Igali. Others include representatives of Stanbic IBTC Bank and Indomie Noodles sponsors of the league

List of Teams and Name

1. University of lagos – Unilag Marines.
2. University of Ibadan- UI Pioneers.
3. University of Benin- Uniben Royals.
4. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- ife – OAUGaints
5. Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto – UDU Sulatans.
6. Univeristy of Illorin- Ilorin Warriors
7. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria – ABU Nobles
8. Bayero University, Kano – BUK Stallions.
9. Abubakar Tafawa Belewa University – ATBU Braveheart.
10. University of Jos – Unijos highlanders
11. University of Agriculture, Makurdi – UAM Tillers
12. University of Maiduguri – Unimaid Desert-Warriors.
13. University of Port-Harcourt – Uniport Sharks.
14. University of Calabar – Unical Malabites
15. University of Nigeria, Nsukka – UNNLions
16. Delta state University – Delsu Titnas