The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar (Unical), Prof. Florence Banku Obi has assured the South-South Tertiary Institution Sports Association( SSTISA) of her administration's commitment towards supporting their endeavours.

Prof Florence Obi gave the assurance when student delegates of SSTISA paid a courtesy call on her at the Council Chambers of the institution recently.

Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Eno Grace Nta, the varsity administrator said sports development remains one of the cardinal goals of her administration, hence, her resolve to support any initiative geared towards sports development.

She said, " I am always willing and ready to give any form of encouragement and support to students in all their endeavours, especially, when it has to do with Sport development".

Prof Obi said she is Pro-students in everything, adding that, she derives pleasure in seeing students succeed in their academic pursuits and other extracurricular activities.

According to her, "This administration believes in the holistic outlook and growth of a person. Even though the primary concern of the University is education, there is also a place for Sports and other activities when thinking in terms of skills and opportunities".

The Vice-chancellor said the collaboration between Unical and SSTICA will foster a lasting relationship, saying the South-South is blessed with many languages and cultures.

Prof Florence Obi  stated that it is imperative for students studying in the South-South to come together and form a formidable front to tackle their common problems.

She said it is good they start preparation for the Sports fiesta, especially the football competition at the zonal level and come up with a formidable team, noting that, there are great players from the South-South in the National team.

The Unical Student Union Government (SUG) Director of Sports, Comr. Diogo S. Abednego said that the South-South Universities are striving hard to create a synergy among themselves to develop and strengthen sporting activities in tertiary institutions in the region.

He said that the SSTISA tour started from Bayelsa, Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and now Cross River State, adding that, Unical is hosting the delegates due to their preparations for the hosting of NUGA games.

The SUG Director of Sports said, "The Association is visiting these Universities to see how the sporting activities are going on to have a formidable team for the Higher Institution Football League which is played at the National level".

He used the opportunity to invite the University Management to the institution's tournament – 'Malabo World Cup' slated for next month.