Game On! NUGA unveils dates, 13 Olympic sports for 11th All Africa University Games in Lagos
(Made In Africa Sport) – Lagos State University (LASU) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) will co-host the 11th All Africa University Games from 20 to 29 September 2024.
This information was disclosed in a press release made available by the Acting Secretary-General of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA), Chidiebere Ezeani, on 18 January 2024.
The African University Games, organised for university athletes by the Federation of Africa University Sports (FASU), is a multi-sport event that brings together the continent’s top university athletes, with an upper age limit of 25 years, to compete for prestigious titles.
The games are staged once every two years as a flagship event, with ten editions having already been held. The format of participation at the Games has changed from national university teams to individual universities since the 8th FASU Games in South Africa in 2016.
The last edition was hosted by Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya, with over 1,000 student athletes competing in 12 Olympic sports.
The 2024 event will see a slight increase in the number of sports from 12 to 13, divided into two individual and team sports categories.
- Category 1 (Individual Sports): Athletics, Badminton, Chess, Judo, Table Tennis, Tennis, Karate, Taekwondo, Swimming
- Category 2 (Team Sports): Basketball, Football, Volleyball, and Handball
𝙎𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 🗓 – @FASU_Games🥁📌⏳ 🇳🇬#FASUGames #WeAreAfrica #NousSommesLAfrique pic.twitter.com/urCZNjj0Kb
— FASU-Africa University Sports (@fasuafrica) January 18, 2024
According to the release, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the African university sports community during the commissioning of projects at Lagos State University earlier this month. The initiative behind the games “aligns with his vision to promote sports development and provide world-class facilities for athletes.”
A historic aspect of this event is also the co-hosting by female Vice-Chancellors of the respective universities. Professor Folasade Ogunsola, FAS, the 13th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, and her counterpart, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji Bello, the 9th Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, will lead this groundbreaking collaboration.
Prof. Ogunsola shared, “We will leverage the excellent facilities developed during the NUGA Games in 2021.” She outlined plans to enhance the university sports centre, including the recently commissioned 240-bed sports hostel.
Expressing gratitude to the Governor of Lagos State for his support, Prof. Olatunji-Bello highlighted the significance of this event for Lagos State and the broader Nigerian university community.
NUGA’s Acting President, Dr. Bawa Mohammed, commended the co-hosting institutions for their continuous contribution to the development of university sports in Nigeria.
He tasked them with showcasing the warmth of Nigerian hospitality and providing Africa with a memorable experience.
Nigeria is hosting the event for the second time after hosting the 2004 event in Bauchi State, where 15 nations competed.
FASU Games 2024 Updates
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