Nigeria is internet hosting the competitors for the primary time in 20 years after internet hosting the third FASU Video games in 2004.
The eleventh version of the Federation of African College Sports activities (FASU) video games has formally commenced in Lagos, Nigeria. It options over 1,500 athletes from 43 African international locations.
The Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sport and President of FASU, Ashraf Sobhy, declared the video games open on Saturday on the College of Lagos (UNILAG) Sports activities Advanced in the course of the opening ceremony.
The occasion, which can run till 29 September, is co-hosted by UNILAG and Lagos State College (LASU), marking the first-ever joint internet hosting by two universities.
The competitors will characteristic about 17 totally different sports activities, together with athletics, basketball, soccer, swimming, and extra, contested by African college college students.
Nigeria is internet hosting the competitors for the primary time in 20 years after internet hosting the third FASU Video games in 2004 on the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa College in Bauchi.
“It’s the first time that two universities shall be co-hosting FASU. It’s symbolic of the Africa that we wish. Immediately we mark collaboration, and the spirit of Africa and the youth of Africa who will take us ahead,” mentioned the Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Folashade Ogunsola.
The professor of medical microbiology inspired individuals “to compete with the perfect that you’ve and do it with friendship and love. Let’s come collectively to maneuver this continent ahead.”
FASU begins
In his remarks, the President of the Nigerian College Video games Affiliation (NUGA), Mohammed Bawa, enjoined individuals to place of their finest and exhibit sportsmanship regardless of the end result of the sport.
Mr Bawa mentioned FASU is a platform for “our youth to community and showcase their potential and management qualities, to make associates and break borders regardless of tribe, language and background.”
“This is a chance so that you can check the profession pathway you might be following within the college. Sport is now not a curricular exercise however a commerce in itself. Sport has confirmed itself to be dependable lately should you break via and turn out to be knowledgeable,” he mentioned.
The Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, in her feedback, mentioned it’s a exceptional occasion as a result of its significance transcends mere contest for medals or wishes for accolades, however showcases Africa’s widespread historical past and variety.
“In competitions like this, there shall be winners and people who fall brief. Whichever aspect you fall, I urge you to exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship that may really make the occasion a ravishing and thrilling one,” Mrs Olatunji-Bello mentioned.
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Dedication to youth improvement
As a part of programmes for the formal opening ceremony of the eleventh FASU, the second FASU vice-chancellors’ seminar was held Saturday morning. It featured vice-chancellors of universities throughout Africa whose contingents are additionally collaborating within the eleventh FASU Video games.
In response to the UNILAG Communication Unit, the stakeholders deliberated on the expansion and improvement of college sports activities as a software for strategic social engagement, infrastructural improvement, enhanced interplay, and cohesion amongst college college students.
The seminar featured a keynote presentation by the Head of African Union Sports activities Council, Decius Chipande, who spoke on the theme: “Empowering College Sports activities: the Africa We Need.”
Mr Chipande advocated a multi-sectorial synergy throughout totally different ranges of stakeholders in creating a extra systematic and complete coverage plan for African college sports activities.
In his remarks, the FASU President described the video games as “a platform to showcase the inclusivity and variety that the African continent is famend for.”
Mr Sobhy famous that the final 10 FASU Video games have contributed considerably to the expansion and improvement of college video games, helped to find skills in sports activities and fostered interactions amongst universities throughout the continent.
He advocated stronger collaborations amongst vice-chancellors in Africa past lecturers, to overcome all divisive components and “construct a extra cohesive Africa via college video games.”
