WAPOGA: LOC ‘ll ease language problem

By Tunde Ogunesan - 07.05.2008

LOCAL Organising Committee (LOC) chairman of the 2008 edition of West African Polytechnic Games Association (WAPOGA) Games, Brou Degre Paul of the Institute National Polytechnique, Yamoussoukro,Cote d'Ivoire, has allayed fears of language barrier among athletes and officials during the Games.

Speaking at the just-concluded NIPOGA Games in Ado-Ekiti, Brou Degre said the LOC had employed qualified teachers in Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire to help solve the problem of language barrier that might hinder the success of the Games.

According to Brou Degre, "WAPOGA is recruiting oral English language teachers both in Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire to help in effective communication during the Games."

He said the committee was poised to make sure that all participants enjoyed the competition, hence its determination to eliminate language barrier. He stated that the host was committing around N46 million (1.6 billion CFA) to the Games, with N21 million on the games, while N35million would be expended on the provision of facilities.

The LOC chairman added that the host institution had swung into action immediately after Yabatech 2007 edition in Lagos and had full backings of the corporate world.

The second edition of WAPOGA Games come up in July at the Institut National Polytechnique, Yamoussoukro, Cote d'Ivoire.