Preparations for the 11th African University Games, FASU 2024 have begun in earnest at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), with the inauguration of eighteen (18) Committees on Thursday, February 15, 2024 by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, FAS, OON.
At the Senate Chambers venue of the inauguration ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor rallied members of the different committees to the cause of the University: putting up a brilliant hosting performance that will surpass precedence and expectations.
Her words: “First of all, I want to thank you all for accepting this onerous task. We have six months to pull off a project of this magnitude in a challenging economic situation. But, I am a believer in the truth that hard times bring out the best in you. They spur you to produce your best work. So, I am here to encourage you, to tell you that we will be working with you to host an excellent sporting event. After the brilliant performance that the University of Lagos put up, hosting the last edition of NUGA, expectations are high. We must surpass that performance. I am saying this with confidence because you are the ones I am talking to. I know you can do it!”.
In his address, Chairman of UNILAG Sports Council, Prof. Afolabi Lesi gave a brief background of the FASU Games, from its founding in 1971 to the last edition hosted in 2004 in Bauchi State. He disclosed that the University of Lagos will be co-hosting the games with the Lagos State University (LASU), which, according to him, is “an effort which reflects a commitment to fostering sports excellence and collaboration within the educational community”.
“About 3,000 people (Athletes and Officials) are expected for the games. The Vice-Chancellor is invested in this project and so is the Lagos State Governor, His Excellency, Babjide Sanwoolu. Yes, we have quite a task on our hands, but we have got it in us to make a success of it. The inauguration of committees that we are doing here is also being done in LASU. It is going to be a collaborative effort between the two institutions, so we are good to go”, he said.
The eighteen (18) Committees cover: Fund Raising & Marketing, Security, Technical, Medical, Accommodation, Transportation, Accreditation, Media/Publicity, Ceremonies, Facilities/Venue, Safeguarding/Environmental, Feeding, Volunteer, Cultural and Tourism, FASU Education and Scientific Forum, Anti-Doping, Immigration and External Relations, and Commercial/Revenue Generation.
The 11th African University Games of the Federation of Africa University Sports (FASU) are scheduled to take place from Friday, September 20 to Sunday, September 29, 2024. The Games will feature an exciting line-up of Individual and Team sports: Athletics, Badminton, Chess, Judo, Table Tennis, Tennis, Karate, Taekwondo, Swimming, Basketball, Football, Volleyball, and Handball.
REPORT: Isaiah Kumuyi
PHOTOGRAPH: Joshua Michael
