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Hockey

In 1997 GUSA, it was realized that the University of Ghana’s sports in general was dysfunctional especially Hockey and Soccer teams.  So coaches were employed in 1998 and the task given them was to build hockey, soccer and racket teams. In 1999, major efforts were made to recruit people for the Hockey team. Stunningly, all the players pre-selected were from the Medical School. Thereby, making the medical school the hub that served as the nucleus around which the Hockey team was built.

During the 1999 West African University Games (WAUG), the University had wanted to present the hockey team but it was decided that the team was not ready to feature in such a competitive tournament since winning the gold medal was the University’s target. Therefore, when it was announced that there would be Hockey and Soccer Championship for WAUG in 2001, the University took advantage of it to host it an also gave the university preeminence to set up a dominant Hockey and Soccer teams.

In 2000, to get ardent hockey and soccer players, inter floor games were played to get teams for the halls, after this, inter-hall games were organized to give the students ample opportunity to flex their expertise and be selected for the school team. The team made up of 45 players was divided into 3 different teams of 15 players. The players were camped in order to meet adequate training schedules. They were tested through various friendly matches during the camping period.

With the absence of a good playing pitch, the University quickly regrassed the fallowed pitch in order to make it ready for the tournament. This pitch had also helped the National Hockey Teams whose pitch was under construction. The University took hold of this opportunity to play friendly matches with the National Teams so that the teams will overcome any fear of playing serious competition. They continued until the championship commenced.

When the Maiden Hockey and Soccer Championship finally took place, the University was able to finish with Silver and Gold medals for the male and female teams respectively. The interest in hockey was sustained. In 2003, in order to prevent idleness and to keep the players morale and team spiritedness afloat, they played continuous friendly matches across the length and breadth of the country. Some of the teams they played were Akosombo International, Adisadel for the men’s team and Mfantsiman for the women.

When the Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) were hosted by the University of Cape Coast in 2004, due to the University's training, they won both the male and female finals. Nonetheless, it was evident throughout these periods that the constant friendly matches and rigorous training activities kept the teams on their top forms till now. The female team has maintained their feat whilst the male counterpart alternate between silver and gold till this present day.

 

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