The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof Johnson Nyarko Boampong, has unveiled the mascot and logo to officially kick-start the countdown of the 2024 Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) games to be hosted by the university.

The GUSA games would bring all public universities in the country together to compete in various sporting disciplines from January 3 to 18, 2025.

The GUSA sports competition has over the years offered participants a platform to showcase their talents, embrace sportsmanship, and form friendships and develop careers.

The theme for the Games, “Repositioning university sports for national development” is in recognition of the essential role sports play in shaping society.

The mascot for the 2024 GUSA games which had been named Oguaa Suapon Okori was designed by some staff of the documentation section of UCC with the notable names as Nathaniel Ampah and Mrs. Lauren Doku. 

Prof Boampong stated that, university sports served as a critical and powerful tool for promoting unity, discipline and excellence.

He also observed that, sports was not just games but a breeding grounds for leaders, innovators  and change makers.

Prof Boampong said sports were fertile grounds for nurturing skills and values such as teamwork, perseverance, leadership, and resilience which he noted, were needed to drive national development.

He underscored the need for universities in the country to harness the potential of sports as a catalyst for national development, saying, “through the university sports, we can create a robust framework that integrate athletics prowess with academic achievement”.

Prof Boampong explained that, the mascot was more than a symbol as “it represents our collective identity and serves as a vibrant reminder of the enthusiasm and energy that sports instil in our lives”.

Additionally, he said the mascot had being designed to inspire athletes and supporters as it captures the essence of the university’s renowned hospitality and emphasised the importance of teamwork, cooperation, mutual respect and fair play.

In an address, the President of the Ghana University Sports Association (GUSA), Shaibu Ibrahim Tanko, commended the UCC for its unwavering commitment towards hosting the games, saying, “UCC understands the importance of cultivating an environment where our athletes can excel, feel inspired and push boundaries”.

He called for investments in the existing sporting facilities in terms of enhancing, refining and updating wherever necessary to meet the highest standards of athletic excellence.

The facilities, he said, were more than grounds for competition as they also serve as breeding grounds for ambition; for nurturing athletes who go on to become national icons and role models for future generations.

He urged management of UCC and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to provide the necessary services that was needed for the success of the games, explaining, “When logistics are seamless, our athletes can channel all their energy into their performance, free from distractions, knowing they are valued and supported”.  

The Pro Vice Chancellor of UCC, Prof Rosemond Boohene, who is also the chairperson of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), in her remarks said, the games was not only to celebrate the  spirit of competition but also the unity, resilience, and excellence that our students represent across a spectrum of disciplines. 

She said the GUSA Games were a testament to their collective dedication to fostering an environment where athleticism complements academic growth, and where leadership, discipline, and teamwork were nurtured and celebrated adding “each participant brings not only their skill and determination but also the shared values of integrity, perseverance, and respect that define our university community”.

Mrs Boohene mentioned that countless hours had been spent planning these games in terms of  logistics to promotions, training schedules, and venue preparations but stressed more effort would  be required to make the event a success.