The Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello has asked students and athletes across African Universities who are competing at the 11th All Africa University Games to use this year's competition, not only to compete and win medals, but, to break barriers and promote unity among countries on the continent, so as to move Africa to a new height.
The Vice-Chancellor made the call over the weekend during the opening ceremony of the games at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Lagos with the representative of the Minister of Sports, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. John Enoh in attendance.
Professor Olatunji-Bello equally tasked the young athletes to demonstrate great spirit of sportsmanship while competing among themselves representing universities across Africa
According to her, the game should not be about winning alone, but, participation as well.
"This edition is historic and significant, simply because it celebrates African Unity and diversity, irrespective of religion, tribe, language and colour. We can all come together in diversity", she noted.
The Vice-Chancellor who appreciated Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu 's administration support for the games, urged the athletes to use the games display their skills and win medals, stressing the need to exhibit spirit of sportsmanship.
She then encouraged the athletes to explore the rich culture of the state, particularly its aquatic splendour
Similarly the Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folashade Ogunsola, echoed her counterpart from LASU as co-host of Africa's biggest school sports event
She asked the young African athletes to truly compete, excel and use the games to unite as well as make everlasting friendship that would transcend the games.
The President, Nigeria University Games (NUGA), Engr. Bawa Mohammed enjoined the participants, to see sports, not only as extra curricular activities, but, a profession and use it to develop themselves as future leaders.
"This competition has all the indices of success. The games is for the future of Africa. I welcome everyone because it is a momentous for Africa", he averred.
Also speaking, Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh expressed excitement at the prospects of the young talents coming together to compete.
The Minister represented by Ms Ngan Mbora added that the games would avail the continent the opportunity of discovering new talents.
She enjoined the student athletes to give their best during the sporting spectacle and wished them the best of stay in Lagos and Nigeria.
Declaring the Games open, the President, Federation Africain Du Sport Universitaire (FASU), Dr. Ashram Sobhy, maintained that the games would be fair and competitive.
Dr.Ashram Sobhy who doubles as Egypt Minister of Sports emphasized the need for athletes to use the event as an avenue to collaborate with one another across Africa
"It is history made and I expect competitive games. Also, I expect great collaboration among the athletes", he stated
Later, the Director of Sports and Recreation, LASU, Dr. Segun Olawunmi and his counter part ,Chief Coach, UNILAG, Mrs Funmi Otegbeye, on behalf of the officials took the oath of good officiating, while the duo of Prudence Ifechukwu, LASU and Daramola Adegboyega, UNILAG, took the oath on behalf of the participating athletes of good conduct throughout the games.
The opening ceremony witnessed
march past of athletes, the lighting of the games touch, handing over of the games flag, cultural display, performances by artistes as well as fireworks to herald the games.
The closing ceremony is expected to hold on Sunday, 29th September, 2024, at the Sports and Recreation Centre, LASU.
Nearly thirty(30) Universities participated in the march past during the opening ceremony including the two host, Lagos State University (LASU), University of Lagos (UNILAG)
Others are Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Ijanikin, Lagos, Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu, Lagos, Kenyatta University, Kenya, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, University of Ibadan, Federal University, Oye- Ekiti, American University in Cairo, Egypt, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, Univasita De Labao, Guinea, Bamidele Olumilua University, University of Zambia, University of Development Services, Ghana, Nile University, Abuja and a host of others.
The Universities present are from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Mauritius, Angola, Guinea, Zambia and Kenya.
The opening group football match between host Lagos State University and Kenyatta University, Kenya ended in a one -all draw
The games were first held in Nigeria in the year 2004 at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, Nigeria, second time being held in Nigeria and the first time two Universities will be co-hosting the games since the first edition in 1974.
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