UG Sports Directorate makes giant strides at 10th FASU Games

The ongoing 10th African University Sports Games (FASU) at the Kenyatta University Kenya has highlighted the giant strides being made by the Ghanaian University community to develop sports.

This is evidenced by not only the medal haul of Ghana's teams at the championships but also the quality of the performances produced across sports disciplines.

As of 8th June, UG had a total medal haul of10 medals made up of four gold medals, four silver medals and two bronze medals. This was the best performance by the three Ghanaian public universities – the University of Education Winneba and the University for Development Studies - participating in the games.

UG is fast establishing itself as a powerhouse in the sprints, and racket sports. The discovery of national 100m record holder Benjamin Kwaku Azamati and his rise as a 4x100m relay medallist at the 2019 African Games has particularly increased the stock of the school.

The men’s 4x100m relay followed suit with a performance befitting the status of the school when they clocked an impressive 39.38s to win the FASU 4x110m relay event in Kenya. The UG quartet of Solomon Kweku Hammond, Abdul Rasheed Saminu, James Dadzie and Isaac Botsio put on a show, leaving their nearest rivals the University for Development studies trailing by about 10 meters. The boys certainly were sending a very strong message to the national handlers with that gutsy performance.

The exchanges were really good, something even the national team has struggled with in recent times resulting in disqualifications at the World Relays and Olympic Games. With stiffer opposition, they could have bettered the time. The obvious unique selling point is that Azamati came from the same stable.

Mind you, the national 4x100m relay stands at 38.08s, following the heroics of Azamati and his teammates at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

It is equally important to highlight the stellar achievement of discus thrower Dominic McCarthy who set the ball rolling with a 42.00m toss to win gold in his event. National star Grace Obour followed suit by clinching gold in the 400m.

Mention can also be made of Vanessa Akuaku Kabukie who won silver in the women's singles tennis event before Abigail Brew Anderson won silver in Table Tennis women singles.

One cannot help but ask what are the underlying factors behind the success story of Team UG.

It comes after years of investment in infrastructure and the university’s sports programme otherwise called UGPAAS.

Indeed, UG's silent and patient investments are bearing fruits.

A careful analysis of the situation on the UG campus reveals the impact of the UGPAAS, UG SPORTS FUND, investment in facilities, capacity building for coaches and administrators, and support by UG management as key in the school's advancement.

The general support from the UG Community and the Sports Directorate has changed the UG sports Ecosystem.

UG is and wiill continue to play a crucial role when Ghana hosts the 2023 African Games next year in providing athletes for the national team, human resource personnel, and infrastructure for the nation.

Source: UG Sports Directorate