Cyriacus Nnaji
The American University in Cairo has emerged the overall winner in the just concluded 11th edition of the All-African University Games hosted by Lagos State University and the University of Lagos.
Following on the medals table were the co-hosts, the Lagos State University which came second and the University of Lagos winning the third position.
The American University in Cairo garnered 46 Gold, 28 silver, and 8 bronze, totalling 82 medals to come first, LASU on the other hand, amassed 28 gold, 30 silver and 40 bronze medals making it 84 to place second, while the University of Lagos made it to the third position winning 25 gold, 33 silver and 40 bronze medals totaling 98 medals.
The Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, in her Welcome Address, at the Closing Ceremony of the 11th All-African University Games on Sunday, 29th September, 2024 at the Lagos State University Main Campus, Ojo, expressed appreciation for the proud and laudable achievements for an institution hosting the first international sports competition in its 42-year of existence.
She averred that when the reports of the Games are being written, it would be said that LASU and UNILAG collaborated to host one of the best Games so far. “Indeed, looking back at our achievements in these games, we are proud of ourselves for giving Africa an exciting and entertaining African University Games. We gave a platform where new friendships and alliances were formed across countries and among the students.
“Lagos 2024 demonstrated how sports can serve as a tool to African unity. Together with UNILAG we have given Lagos and Nigeria a worthy representation,” said asserted.
The LASU VC thanked the great people who made the event possible. “I want to say a big thank you to the Federation of African University Sports (FASU) and the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA) for the confidence they reposed in us to host the 11th edition of All-African Games. I am confident that our experiences here and what we have learnt during the competition will assist favourable and positive transformations that will impact the hosting of future games. For us in LASU, we are already looking forward to hosting another edition in the nearest future.
“To our thriving visitors, you have come, you have seen, and I believe you have been impressed. The good people of Nigeria have proven their generous hospitality through the lens of the games held at LASU and UNILAG,” she said.
He thanked the Governor of Lagos whose support for the game was too huge to quantify. “For the success of this competition, I owe the deepest gratitude to Mr Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who has stood solidly behind us for the hosting of this event. We thank you, sir, for your leadership and for believing in this project; without you, this competition would not have been a reality. I thank you and every member of the State Executive Council. I also thank all our sponsors, partners and indeed everyone who have contributed in one way or the other to this project.”
Prof Folashade Telulope Ogunsola, Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, in her speech said “I was filled with gratitude and pride that over the last few days we have witnessed not just sporting Excellence, but also the spirit camaraderie that unite us across different countries. In line with the theme of the game, ‘Unite, Compete, Excel” we have witnessed extraordinary talents and determination from across our students athletes showcasing the very best our continent has to offer.
“Each competition has not only highlighted each individual’s skills, but has also fostered team work, resilience and respect, values that are vital both in sports, and leadership, it has also provided opportunity for healthy competition and great sportsmanship which has been at every turn,” he highlighted.
Prof Ogunsola stated that the athletes are the embodiment of hope and inspiration and challenged them to carry the lessons learnt from the event to their various universities and countries. “You have not only competed for medals, but have also represented the spirit of unity that is essential in our pursuit of excellence. As you return to your universities, carry with you the lessons you have learnt and the bond you have forged here. Let us remember that the mission for the game extend beyond this sphere.”
She spoke about how dear sports has become to the University of Lagos. “At the University of Lagos we are all committed to promoting sports as a tool for development, for fostering education, and building a brighter future for our youth.
“As we look forward to the next FASU Games, let us continue to support each other and embrace the values of friendship, respect and fair play. May our parts cross again in future competition where we will celebrate not just victory but the collective achievements of African Universities,” Prof. Ogunsola stated.
Bawa Mohammed, NUGA President and Chairman Local Organising Committee disclosed that this year’s edition of FUGA was a special one, “It is a special one in the sense that we are facing global recess, but yet we have more athletes than ever, and we have it in such a way that we are not having any dispute unlike other FASU Games in the past, but this one was quite successful and I think it is historic, and then in terms technological application for the game, it is this edition that started the use of VAR, that is the video assistant referees, after South Africa in the whole Africa. So it is a record that was set.
On what was spent hosting the tournament, he said “If I tell you each university has spent less than a billion Naira, I think it is an understatement, but I may not know the infrastructure involvement, but in terms of the logistics, I can tell you we have spent over 80 million in feeding the students, and officials, there allowances is also ranging over N30 million. So about N110 million is involved in running this; that is without considering the fuel, without considering the transportation system, just feeding and accommodation alone. So I think in terms of infrastructure the university managements are in a better place to talk about that.”
