2020 GUSA GAMES: LEGACIES OF INFRASTRUCTURE
The returns in hosting a competition by a country or an institution are many, one such returns on hosting is infrastructure development. The gains made by University of Ghana (UG) after hosting the 26th Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) Games in the area of infrastructure is worth applauding and has helped closed the gap in infrastructure. The games dubbed Legon 2020 came off from the 3rd to 19th January, 2020.
From nowhere near the likes of University of Cape Coast, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University of Education, Winneba and University for Development Studies, UG is now leading the league of sports infrastructure among tertiary institutions in Ghana. This shows the sterling vision and dynamism of UG Sports Directorate led by management and structures put in place.
Legacies of Infrastructure
The hosting baton handed over to UG in 2018 led to a major push in building new sports facilities as well as renovating old ones to befit the standards and status of a world class aspiring University. This facelift saw the construction of a new Beach Volleyball and two multipurpose Tennis Courts and a Netball Court. The Basketball Courts were upgraded from concrete to a fiber surface. The Handball and Volleyball Courts were renovated as well and fenced. The Athletic Oval was regrassed for Baseball, Cricket and Hockey games. The football fields namely Main Field, Ajax 1 and 2 were regrassed over the two year period of preparation for the Games.
Works on the UG Stadium began with two stands completed and fitted with seats. The offices for the Sports Directorate is about ninety five percent complete as well.
The gymnasium which was the media center for the games was fitted with floor pads as well as additions of new weight equipment for use by clients. The Sports Directorate also invested in purchasing foldable chairs, tables, office desks for meetings and other gatherings to reduce the money spent in renting.
The restaurant at the Swimming Pool on the premises of the Sports Directorate was renovated. The new landscape around the pool and Sports Directorate was sponsored by the Vice-Chancellor’s Green Project.
The visibility of the Sports Directorate within the University, country and beyond especially during the games was the result of deliberate investment in the media section where modern cameras, lenses and drones were purchased to augment the good and quality work being done particularly in an era of mediated sports.
These gains made from hosting Legon 2020 will go a long way in consolidating sports development on campus and the performance of our school teams in preparation towards championships.
We are moving on and as the Director of Sports would always say…“it is a patient investment and we are already seeing the returns.”