The SEALS Cup 2022 Edition.

Giwa Veronica

Although quite a number of AFASites may not know what the SEALS Cup is about, one thing AFASites must have in mind is that it is not a new tournament in the University of Ibadan. The reason for the ‘wild assumption’ in the opening sentences is that students at the current 200level have not witnessed this tournament before, even the current 100level students also fall under this category also. This makes the assumption a near accuracy that possibly many AFASites have not yet heard of the SEALS Cup until now. Activities in respect to the SEALS Cup came alive to the University’s public after resumption from the strike. To this end, entry into the tournament has started since the 7th day of November till the 21st day of November 2022. Draws for the competition were also slated for the same day 4pm, that is, the closing date, of which at this current moment all these have been done. The first match is set to kick off 23rd November 2022. The competition is expected to last for three weeks.

A Brief on the SEALS Cup.
So, what does SEALS stands for? SEALS is an acronym for Science, Education, Arts, Law, and Social Science. This year, the game sees an increase in the number of teams. Previously, it was a 16 team tournament, but this year it will be a 32 team participatory tournament. The tournament encompasses a wide range of departmental participation from all faculties in the University. However, entry into the competition is not free. The cost of the registration form is set at a 15,000 naira (fifteen thousand) registration fee, although admittance is also filtered to a “first come, first serve” basis. The winner receives a grand prize of 100,000 naira (One hundred thousand naira) and medals; the runner-up receives 50,000 naira (Fifty thousand naira) and medals; and the third place finisher receives 20,000 (Twenty thousand naira) and medals. Venues anticipated to host this competition are Awo Stadium and the SUB sports complex.

AFAS Representation at the SEALS Cup
The Faculty of Arts has 4 departments playing at this year’s SEALS cup competition. These departments include Philosophy, History, Classics and Anthropology and Archaeology Department.

Although the number of participatory teams has been increased from an initial 16 teams to 32 teams, only 26 departments were drawn into groups. The participating departments from the Faculty of Arts have been distributed into groups B, E, and G. Classics and History departments in Group B, Philosophy department in Group E, and Anthropology and Archaeology department in Group G. The matches are going to be played from Monday through to Friday; a day will be omitted, so players can rest their muscles in between the matches.

SEALS CUP DRAW
Group A
Public Health
Education Management
Animal Science
Economics

Group B
Agric Econs
KHE
History
Classics

Group C
Microbiology
Chemistry
ASE
Physiology

Group D
Statistics
Pharmacy
Vet Medicine
Sociology

Group E
Geology
LARIS
Philosophy
Law

Group F
Geography
Psychology
Agric Eng

Group G
Political Science
Forest Resources Management
Archaeology and Anthropology