The Sports Directorate has paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo to introduce the University’s Cross-Country Team and athletes who represented Ghana at the just ended Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.
The University of Ghana Male and Female Teams came 1st and 5th respectively at the just ended 25th Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) Cross-Country Competition held at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Ho.
Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu, Director of Sports, in his introductory remarks, thanked the University Management for the encouragement and support the Sportsmen and women enjoy. Dr. Bitugu added that 90% of the athletes at Ho were either beneficiaries of the University of Ghana Policy on the Admission of Athlete Students (UG-PAAS) or the University of Ghana Sport Fund (UG-SF), an indication that the strategies and policies by the Sports Directorate with support from University Management are bearing fruits. He explained that though most of the female athletes were sprinters, they were nurtured to partake in the Cross-Country Competition and made it to the 5th position. He was hopeful that the team will improve in subsequent competitions.
The Director of Sports also presented student athletes from the University who represented Ghana at the just ended Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England and made an impact with four out of the five qualifying for various stages of their disciplines (Athletics, Badminton, and Table Tennis). He indicated that the patient investment, perseverance, and hard work over the years is not only putting UG on the global stage, but also projecting Ghana's positive image through sports.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, congratulated the student athletes and staff of the Sports Directorate for bringing smiles to the faces of members of the University community. She added that the University was committed to doing things right, which will translate into churning out genuine stars for the University and Ghana. “I will urge you to keep it up. We recognise the need for us to have a holistic university. A university which does not concentrate on only academic work, but also recognises these co-curricular activities as being integral part of our identity as a university", Prof. Amfo said.
In brief remarks, the Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Elizier Taiba Ameyaw-Buronyah, lauded the students and the Sports Directorate for their achievements and encouraged them to chalk more success stories to the University.
Ms. Millicent Ankude, Captain of the female Table Tennis Team, Mr. Eric Aglo, Captain of the Athletics Team and Mr. Abdul Yussif, student leader of the contingent, expressed appreciation to the Management of UG, the Sports Directorate and their coaches for the support and privilege to represent the University and the nation. They promised to continue to win more laurels to bring glory to the University.
As part of the meeting, the athletes presented their trophies to the Vice-Chancellor.
Also present at the meeting were; Mr. Augustine Amissare; Senior Assistant Registrar, Sports Directorate; Mr. Tahiru Yusif Amuda, Chief Coach Football; Mr. Michael Justice Apea, Head of Racket Games; Mr. Emmanuel Bruce-Okine, Head of Athletics; Mr. Philip Gbedife, Coach Tennis; Mr. Dramani Abdul Wahab; Coach, Swimming; Mr. Williams Akuka, Cross Country Coach; Mr. Abdul-Rahman Iddrisu, Principal Sports Organiser; Mr. Geoffrey Adofo and Mr. Kwakwo Owusu Dadde, both Senior Sports Organiser at the Sports Directorate.
