GUSA 2024: Ghana’s student-athletes shine ahead of 2025 FISU Games in Germany
The 2024 Ghana University Games (GUSA 2024) have concluded, leaving behind a trail of impressive performances and a renewed sense of optimism for the future of Ghanaian sports. This year’s edition witnessed a surge of athleticism, with numerous records shattered across various disciplines amidst the cry to organisers to keep their A game on top.
This display of talent comes on the heels of a streak that extended from the recent continental championship in Lagos, Nigeria, to the home soil in Cape Coast delivers consistent success which underscores the depth of talent within the Ghanaian university system and the dedication of these young student-athletes.
Looking ahead, the focus now shifts towards international competition, the 2025 FISU Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany. With such a strong foundation and a consistent track record of success, Ghanaian universities have the potential to make an impact on the global stage.
“Participation in world-class competitions will provide invaluable experience and exposure, allowing these athletes to hone their skills against the best in the world.” University of Ghana Hockey team captain, Richard Adjei muttered on their hopes of participating in FISU Games.
The Medal Standings: Celebrating the Top 5 Universities at the Ghana Universities Games
UCC wins 2024 GUSA Games.
1st UCC
2nd UG
3rd UEW
4th KNUST
5th UDS
6TH UNER
7th SDD-UBIDS
8th GCTU, AAMUSTED and UHAS
11th UniMAC, CKT-UTAS, UPSA, UMAT and UESD pic.twitter.com/FWbbxMaItr
— University of Cape Coast (UCC) (@UCCGH_Official) January 17, 2025
1. University of Cape Coast (UCC)
Indeed, the glory of the coast did not depart from the host after gaining the top place in the game’s ranking, with 18 gold, 18 silver, and 17 bronze medals, making it the first time in ten years that a university has hosted and won the games.
The University picked up seven trophies from basketball (male and female), hockey (female), netball (female), volleyball (male and female) and tennis (male).
2. University of Ghana, Legon (UG)
Team UG maintained its dominance after winning the overall best team in athletics, although it placed second to the host with 15 gold, 12 silver, and 15 bronze medals to place second on the table.
They won five trophies in athletics (male and female), beach volleyball (male), goal ball (female), and hockey (male).
3. University of Education, Winneba (UEW)
The defending champions, University of Education, Winneba (UEW) also won seven trophies from beach volleyball (female), goalball (male) handball (male and female), badminton (male and female), and table tennis (female).
They finished third with 14 gold, 18 silver, and nine bronze medals and will be hoping to reclaim their crown on home soil as the next host of the games.
4. Kwame University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
Team KNUST, the evergreen force to reckon with in the history of the games, took the fourth position with 14 gold, 13 silver, and nine bronze medals, for a total of 36 medals.
Tracy Ampah, a second-year student at KNUST, shone brightly as a standout performer, winning the women’s singles title at the games to further solidify her position as both Ghanaian and African Champion after her impressive victory in the women’s singles event at the FASU Games in Lagos, which took place late in 2014.
She expressed her gratitude and excitement to Made In Africa Sport and highlighted her ambition to represent Ghana at the World University Games in Germany, expressing her hope to replicate her success on a larger stage.
“I’m humbled,” Tracy commented. “Winning the Ghana Universities Games tennis women’s singles is a dream come true.”
“As a national and African university champion, I aspire to represent Ghana at the World University Games in July and hope to carry similar results at the higher stage.” she concluded.
5. University of Development Studies (UDS)
Despite being favoured to win the men’s football title, Africa University’s top-ranked team set to represent the continent at the University Football World Cup suffered a semi-final loss to the host, University of Cape Coast.
However, joy was restored when their women’s football team emerged as champions after securing a convincing 5-1 victory over UEW in the women’s final.
Although the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) finished 6th in the overall rankings, Lady Portia Aboagye made history by winning the school’s only gold medal at the 28th edition of the games. Her outstanding performance came in the highly competitive 800m race and also placed third for a bronze medal in the 400m race.
What’s next
For most student-athletes, it is time to engage the Ghana Universities Sports Association to understand what it will take to be on the national team, which will be representing the nation at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany.
Also, the West Africa University Games (WAUG), which are slated less than two months after in September. This zonal game is set to be hosted by the University of Ghana before the next edition of the GUSA Games takes place in January 2026 and hosted by the University of Winneba.
