University of Ghana Staff Games Held

Staff members participating in an aerobics session 

The 4th edition of the University of Ghana Staff Games held will remain in the annals of sporting activity on the calendar of the University of Ghana for a long time to come.  The two-day event was one of the most exciting and patronized staff games organised under the auspices of the Sports Directorate in the recent past.

The objective of the Staff Games is to strengthen the ethos and mandate of the Sports Directorate as the unit not only charged with the organisation of competitive sports among students and employees of the University, but also to enhance their fitness, health, well-being and holistic development, through organisation of worthwhile sporting and recreational activities.

The Games, held at the Athletic Oval and Ajax 1 and 2 Football Fields, was under the theme “Recreation and Sports – The Backbone of a Healthy Community”

Aerobics Session 

The event was preceded by an aerobic session which was led by Professor John Ofosu-Anim, Dean of the School of Agriculture and Alfred Attieku, Fitness Instructor at the Sports Directorate. Medical screening of staff was undertaken by the University of Ghana Health Services.

Health Screening

In all, there were 14 teams, from Academic and Administrative Directorates and Units that registered in the two-day event, who all participated passionately in Athletics, Soccer, Table Tennis, Tug of Peace, Volleyball, Goal Ball, and Indoor Games (Cards, Chess, Draught, Ludo, and Oware). 

Click here to see all the teams and results.

The 2017 UG Staff Games witnessed a curtain raiser football match between Federation of Universities Senior Staff Associations of Ghana (FUSSAG) and the Teachers & Educational Workers' Union (TEWU) with the latter winning by 2-0. The match between University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) Legon branches could not come off as they could not raise teams.

Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu, Director of the Sports Directorate in a pose before officiating a football match

The final football match was between College of Basic and Applied Sciences and University Basic School.  It was officiated by the Director of Sports, Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu, whose performance was legendary. Dr. Bitugu is an Austrian-trained referee with more than 120 matches behind him.

Commenting on the Games, Mr. Eric Sifa (Principal Teacher, UG Basic School) Chairman of the Planning Committee, who expressed satisfaction of the programme organised this year.

“In my opinion, this year’s games have seen vast improvements in terms of organisation, participation, publicity and the active involvement by all the Units and Departments of the University. It was exhilarating. I hope we will continue to engage in sports and physical activity even in our private lives to remain active and healthy for our families and contribute our might for the progress of this University.”

 

The Director of Public Affairs Directorate, Mrs. Stella A. Amoa, who attended the Staff Games, congratulated the Sports Directorate and Planning Committee for a splendid work done and admonished all staff to cultivate the culture of exercise:

“Kudos to the Sports Directorate for organising this activity for all staff of the University to keep us healthy and fit. I will entreat all staff to continue exercising to remain fit considering the hours we spend in the office and the sedentary lifestyle we are gradually becoming accustomed to in recent times.”

The Captain of the Physical Development and Municipal Services Directorate, Mr Isaac Ansah was satisfied with the general organisation despite his team’s elimination in the first match of the football competition;

“As a Planning Committee member, I am happy of the general organisation and performance of the teams. A pat on the back to all the representatives of various Units and Departments for liaising well with us. Clearly without such strategies we could not have achieved much.”

In his closing remarks, Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu applauded the UG Staff Games Planning Committee for a good job done.  He was grateful to the University management and staff for fully supporting and participating in the games.  He was however not happy with the level of participation by UTAG and to an extent, GAUA, and hoped the next year’s event will be patronized by all employees of the University.  

 

 

Members of Staff Participating in various games 

 

 

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