11th All Africa University Games declared open at UNILAG
Ifeanyi Eduzor
The 11th All Africa University Games ( FUSA) was Saturday declared open at the University of Lagos Sports Center.
The impressive opening ceremony involved cultural displays and match past by the participating institutions that cut across all the sub- regions of the African continent.
Speaking at the well attended opening ceremony, Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji- Bello commended Federation of Africa University Games ( FASU) for allowing her University and the University of Lagos to co-host the competition for the first time in the history of the championship.
She noted that the Games is significant because it helps in celebrating African unity in diversity, make athletes participate in mutual respect and imbibe the spirit of oneness not minding tribe, religion, race or colour.
Prof.Bello reminded the athletes that they’ve trained tirelessly for the Games and it’s now time for them to showcase their talents even as she posited that the facilities provided by the two institutions will be a reference point in the history of the Games.
In her own speech, Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola described the Games as symbolic of an African that everyone want and a continent that corporate to do things together with great spirit just as she charged the athletes to compete with great spirit and the best they have that will do with greatness and love.
She reminded the students that in every competition, there must be a winner and a loser and as such, they should imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship throughout the duration of the Games.
The Sports Minister, Senator John Enoh who was represented by the Lagos Liaision Officer of the Ministry of Sports Development, Nkana Mbora while welcoming the athletes noted that their presence enriches the community and bolster global understanding among the students.
The Minister expressed gratitude to FASU for granting Nigeria the hosting right of the Games even as he expressed hope that with the experience they acquired in the country, they’ll give the country another chance to host the Games in no distant time.
Earlier in his speech, President of Nigerian University Games Association ( NUGA) Engr. Bawa Mohammed, while welcoming the contingents, noted that the Games is a platform for youths to showcase their leadership qualities, make friends irrespective of their religion and culture.
The NUGA boss while wishing the athletes injury free competition, advised them to play to the rules of the competition.
The Games was later declared open by the President of FUSA Dr. Ashraf Sobby who also light the Games torch in conjunction with other Executive members of the body.
Some Universities taking part in the Games are; University of Lagos, Lagos State University, University of Ibadan, University of Ilorin, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Obafemi Awolowo University and American University Egypt.
Others are; Osun State University, University of Petroleum, Efutun, University of Ghana, Nile University, Abuja, Delta State University, Abraka, Jomo Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Ladoke Akintola University, Nkumba University , Uganda and Kwame Nkuruma University of Technology, Ghana.
Also to participate in the Games are; Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, University of Ibadan, University of Jos, University of Lokoja, University of Mauritius, University of Zambia, Levy Mwanawasa University of Medicine, Zambia, River State University, Lagos State University of Education, Ikorodu, Bamidele Olumilua University and Benson Idahosa University,
There are also Universities from Angola, Zimbabwe and Guinea.
Meanwhile some of the sports which the students will take part in are; football, athletics, basketball, Volleyball, chess, scrabble, E- Sports, taekwondo, judo and cricket.
Others are; badminton, handball, squash, swimming, table tennis and tennis.
