University of Ghana Sports Directorate Receives Delegation from University of The Gambia
The University of Ghana Sports Directorate has received a delegation from the University of The Gambia. The delegation was led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Herbert Robinson. The visit, according to the delegation, was to afford them the opportunity to learn at first hand the governance and management structures, strategies and policies of the UG Sports Directorate.
The Senior Assistant Registrar at the Sports Directorate, Mr. Augustine Amissare, welcomed the delegation on behalf of the Director of Sports, Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu, and stated that the UG Sports Directorate was excited by the visit of the delegation because both universities could learn from each other in the area of university sports.
He took the delegation through the governance and management structures of the Sports Directorate, the various sections and how they are linked in terms of the organisation of programmes and policies, the welfare of student athletes, sports infrastructure and the sporting disciplines of the Sports Directorate. He added that the Local Organising Committee of the 13th Africa Games to be hosted in Ghana has selected the University of Ghana as the Games venue and village. In view of that, some sporting and residential facilities were being upgraded or built to host the Games in August next year.
Mr. Henry Nii Sackey, the Head Coach, added that the University of Ghana participates in various competitions both locally and internationally. Also, the Sports Directorate collaborates with academic departments within UG, government and non-government stakeholders in the areas of coaching, research, training programmes and consulting. He reiterated that student athletes and coaches from UG are often called into the national teams to represent Ghana at international competitions.
Vice-Chancellor, University of The Gambia, Professor Herbert Robinson
Professor Herbert Robinson, in his remarks, thanked the Sports Directorate for the warm reception. The Vice-Chancellor added that though the Directorate of Sports at the University of The Gambia was young and had limited resources, they were making strides in their participation in the third division football league in the Gambia. He indicated that they will soon run a degree programme in sports and health education. He continued that their visit to the University of Ghana was to share ideas with managers of the University of Ghana for the mutual benefit of the two universities. He stated;
"I am aware of the importance of sports and how it can transform individuals, universities and nations. It is the reason we want to invest in sports for the benefit of our students and country."
He advised the Sports Directorate to add a high-performance center to its facilities. He stated that the presence of a high-performance center will undoubtedly improve athlete performance, contribute to research, and attract athletes to train at the center.
Also present at the meeting were Mrs. Mavis Osafo, Assistant Registrar, UG Public Affairs Directorate; Mr. Abdul-Rahman Iddrisu, Senior Sports Organiser; Mr. Samson Obro, Principal Accountant; and Mr. Kwadwo Owusu Dadde, Senior Sports Organiser, all of the UG Sports Directorate. Other members of the Gambian delegation were Dr. Momodou Lamin Tarro, Registrar; Mr. Alhagie Bah, Financial Controller, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education; Mr. Mbakeh Camara, Director of University Relations; and Mr. Alpha M.K. Lowe, Administrator, Office of the Vice-Chancellor.