A NEW ERA FOR CAMPUS SPORTS: SPORTS CENTER CONSTRUCTION BEGINS AT

The grounds of Nwafor Orizu College of Education (NOCEN), Nsugbe, are buzzing with renewed hope and activity as construction begins on a long-awaited sports center and mini-stadium within the institution.

This marks a significant development in the educational landscape of Anambra State and reflects Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s ongoing commitment to not just academic reform, but also the holistic development of students.

BACKGROUND: FROM ABANDONMENT TO REVIVAL

In 2017, a federal project was initiated to construct a mini-stadium within the college. However, like many infrastructure projects across the country, it was abandoned after the foundation was laid, leaving students with no standard sporting facility.

Fast-forward to 2025: Governor Soludo, having visited the institution and listened to its leadership and student body, has revived this dormant dream, breathing life into the project.

The revival of the sports center forms part of a broader masterplan to modernize and reposition NOCEN as a 21st-century college of education, ready to train not just competent teachers but also well-rounded individuals.

PROJECT SCOPE: WHAT’S BEING BUILT?

The sports center is envisioned as a multi-purpose complex designed to host both educational and extracurricular activities. Key features of the ongoing construction include:

Athletic Tracks for running, field events, and fitness training

Outdoor courts for volleyball, basketball, and handball

Changing rooms and administrative spaces for sports staff and athletes

Pavilion Upgrades to serve as viewing points and ceremonial platforms

Heavy machinery has already begun site clearing, and foundation work is visible, signaling the seriousness of the project.

The state government, through the Ministry of Works and the Sports Commission, has committed to a strict project timeline, with expected delivery within the next academic session.

THE GOAL: HOLISTIC STUDENT DEVELOPMENT

Governor Soludo has consistently emphasized that true education extends beyond the four walls of the classroom.

While academic performance is vital, he believes that nurturing the physical, emotional, and mental health of learners is equally crucial.

“We are building minds, but we must also build bodies. A vibrant sporting culture improves discipline, sharpens focus, and nurtures leadership—qualities every good teacher needs,” said Soludo during an education reform summit earlier this year.

The new sports center is expected to:

Promote physical fitness and healthy competition among students

Provide facilities for Physical and Health Education (PHE) courses

Enhance social cohesion and student engagement through tournaments and events

Support inter-collegiate sports participation within the southeast and nationally.

COMMUNITY AND CAMPUS REACTIONS

The college community has welcomed the construction with excitement and appreciation. For many students, the lack of structured sports facilities had long been a challenge, with makeshift pitches often doubling as gathering grounds.

Dr. Justina Anyadiegwu, the Provost of NOCEN, praised the project, calling it a “strategic investment in student potential.” She noted that the sports center aligns with the college’s vision to produce physically sound, emotionally intelligent, and socially responsible educators.