The Local Organising Committee of the Nigeria Polytechnic  Games (NIPOGA) has warned against the use of mercenary at the 17th edition of the games scheduled for December at the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State.

The Rector of the polytechnic, Dr Joseph Oke, made the stand of the LOC known in an interview  with newsmen in Ede shortly after unveiling the Mascot  for the games last week.

“We will not tolerate the use of mercenaries for the games. We will seriously clamp down on any institution that use or attempt to use mercenaries,’’ Oke said.

The rector said the LOC had adequate data to detect any mercenary, adding that such  mercenaries would not only be expelled from the games but also prosecuted.

He said that for the first time, an electronically powered mascot would be used for the  games.

Oke said the mascot illustrated the traditional and cultural background of Osun.

The rector also disclosed that the games for the first time, had a website: www.nipoga.org.ng.

He said that the website was meant to inform sponsors, stakeholders athletes, journalists and other interested bodies about what NIPOGA stood for.

Oke said that 3,000 athletes and 500 officials 60 polytechnics and colleges of technology

across the nation were expected to participate in the games.

He said the games would feature 14 events — athletics, handball, squash racket, tennis, badminton, hockey, table tennis, volleyball, basketball, football, judo, chess, scrabble and taekwondo.