The Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong, who made the appeal, highlighted the long-term benefits of university sports to national development.

He stated, “The investment made in university sports today will yield dividends for the nation in the future. Together, we can harness the power of sports to build a healthier, more united, and prosperous society.”  

Themed “Repositioning University Sports for National Development,” the games have brought together athletes from 16 universities, including the host, UCC; Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST); the University of Ghana (UG); Ghana Communication Technology University; University for Development Studies (UDS); University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA); University of Education, Winneba (UEW); University of Media Arts and Communication; and the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT). 

Other participating institutions include the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR); University for Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD); University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS); Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA); University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS); Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED); and the Clement Kubinderow Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS).  

The 15-day sports festival will allow over 1,000 sportsmen and women to showcase and develop their talents for both national and global platforms. Competitions will be held in athletics, beach volleyball, goalball, handball, hockey, basketball, football, netball, tennis, table tennis, and badminton.  

Lighting the torch  

Professor Boampong took the final lap of the relay to light the ceremonial torch, officially marking the opening of the games. He described the theme as a wake-up call to all stakeholders to resource universities with state-of-the-art infrastructure to train and produce talents for national and international sporting events.  

“Sports has become a powerful vehicle for social change, economic growth, and national pride,” he remarked, adding, “Our universities are uniquely positioned as centres of learning and innovation to harness the potential of sports for national development.” 

He appealed to the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat to extend scholarships to talented university athletes, saying such support would create a promising future for sports development, which would ultimately benefit the nation.  

“To the sporting students and everyone involved in this competition, let us commit ourselves to embody the ideals of fairness, cooperation, and respect,” he added.  

The role of university sports

The President of GUSA, Shaibu Ibrahim Tanko, highlighted the broader significance of university sports, stating, “Sports in universities go beyond physical activity; they are a vital catalyst for fostering unity, nurturing talent, and contributing to the socio-economic growth of the nation.”  

He stressed that the theme challenges all stakeholders to reimagine the role of university sports in Ghana’s broader development agenda. 

“University sports are not just about competition; they are about building character, fostering teamwork, and promoting excellence. They play a crucial role in developing well-rounded individuals who contribute positively to society,” he noted.  

Mr Tanko pointed out that hosting the GUSA Games allows host universities to invest in sports facilities, benefiting both students and surrounding communities.  

He also celebrated the international success of GUSA athletes, citing the historic achievement of a UCC student who won a gold medal in high jump at the World University Games, the first in Ghana’s history. “Such moments of triumph inspire us and prove that the talents nurtured within our universities can shine on the global stage,” he said. 

Call for fair play  

The Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee and immediate past Pro Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Professor Rosemond Boohene, reiterated the importance of university sports in nurturing talent, promoting healthy lifestyles, and instilling values such as discipline, teamwork, and resilience.  

She encouraged athletes to give their best and uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship, urging them to compete fairly while building relationships during the games.  

The athletes and officials also pledged to ensure fairness and uphold the ideals of sportsmanship throughout the competition.