The 4th Inter-Faculty Sports Festival of Delta State University Abraka got underway on Monday July 10, 2023, at the University Sports Arena in Site III, with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andy Egwunyenga pledging to pay more attention to sports development.

Declaring the event open, the Vice-Chancellor who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Ochuko Anomoharan explained that the sports fiesta was meant to strengthen the students physically, mentally and to identify champions among them. He explained that the welfare of students was paramount to his administration, noting that whatever affected them was of concern to the University Management.

According to him, sports was a great way to relax after a hard day's job, hence the need to promote sporting activities in the University. Professor Egwunyenga, a sports loving Administrator and a staunch supporter of one of the top British football clubs, promised to continue to promote sports in the University so as to produce champions in different sports. He also promised that the University would continue to provide all it takes to make the sports arena more convenient and befitting. He instructed that sporting activities should be restricted to the sporting arena and not just anywhere on campus.

Welcoming the Vice-Chancellor and his Management Team to the sporting arena, the Chairman, Delta State University Sports Committee, Professor Edwin Adaikpoh expressed gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor for upgrading sporting facilities in the University. He explained that the Inter Faculty Games would provide an opportunity to accelerate sporting activities in the University and to select sports men and women for the Inter Collegiate Games nationally and internationally. He informed that in the next few weeks, Team DELSU would be in China for the World Universities Games, adding that there had been great improvement in sports since the emergence of the present administration in the University.                                          

The opening ceremony was attended by members of the University Community including Principal Officers and Deans of Faculties; and it featured a colourful match past by the twelve Faculties of the University and an opening football match between the Faculty of Engineering and Pharmacy which ended in a goalless situation at full time, requiring a penalty shootout that saw Engineering Faculty carry the day with a 5-4 win.                                          

- Professor Ben Nwanne is Director, Ceremonials, Information and Public Relations, Delta State University, Abraka.