The Eighth Mini Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) Games have officially commenced at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, who officially opened the Games, welcomed contingents from the competing universities to the University of Coast. Prof. Ampiah said the unique and enormous role sports participation played in the life of every individual could not be underestimated. He prayed that the athletes would exhibit best talents in the sporting disciplines they would be competing in.
Be Disciplined
Prof. Ampiah called on the sportsmen and women to be disciplined adding, “ I humbly appeal to you to refrain from the recent incidence of acts of violence that we have witnessed on some campuses including your younger ones in the senior high schools”.
The Vice-Chancellor congratulated all the participating institutions especially, University of Health and Allied Sciences which was featured in the competition for the first time. He also commended the Organising Committee for ensuring the successful commencement of the games.
Recruit Sports Men and Women from Universities
In his address, the Ag. President of GUSA, Dr. Charles Domfeh, said Ghana could only make headways in sports if universities were provided with standard sports infrastructure. He noted that the universities in Ghana had most of the best sportsmen and women the country could recruit people for the national teams as it was being done in most advanced countries. He commended the government for its decision to situate some of the sports infrastructure in university campuses for the 2023 All African Games.
FISU Games
Dr. Domfeh further announced that GUSA would participate in the upcoming Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU) Games from July 3-14, 2019 in Napoli, Italy. He, therefore, appealed to corporate institutions and individuals to support GUSA to represent Ghana in the competition.
UCC Hosts 8th Mini GUSA Games
The University of Cape Coast is hosting the nine-day competition from January 2-10, 2019 with participating teams from the University of Ghana, University of Education, Winneba, University for Development Studies, University of Mines and Technology, University of Professional Studies, Accra, University of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Energy and Natural Sciences.
They would be competing in football, volleyball and athletics. The athletics events comprise high jump, pole vault, shot put, long jump hurdles, javelin, discus and triple jump.
The Omanhene for Oguaa Traditional Council, Osaberima Kwesi Atta II performed the official kick-off for the opening match between UCC and UPSA which ended in 1-1 draw.
Present at the opening ceremony were the Vice-Chancellor of UHAS, Prof. J. Owusu Gyepong, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh (Chair of LOC); immediate past Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. George K. T. Oduro; Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof. Eugene Marfo Darteh, Director of Academic Affairs, Mr. Jeff Onyame; Director of Internal Audit, Mr. Emmanuel P. Owusu, Director of Health Services, Dr. Evans Ekanem some members of the Local Organising Committee.