More than 3,500 students from about 100 universities within West Africa are expected at the 11th All Africa Universities Games (FASU Games) slated from Sept. 20 to 29.
According to the organisers, Lagos State University(LASU) and University of Lagos (UNILAG) will co-host the 2024 FASU Games.
The Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, made this known on Tuesday at the media briefing of the 11th FASU Games in Lagos.
Olatunji-Bello said that LASU was ready to co-host the rest of Africa at the games.
She said the varsity was looking forward to partnering with well-meaning individuals and organisations that would bring immense sporting and business opportunities to athletes and co-hosts.
She said, “LASU does not only have the physical facilities but it also boasts of the human and material resources to co-host an unforgettable sporting spectacle.
“With over 50,000 young people currently studying on its campuses, we are a melting pot of cultures of various Nigerian and African ethnicities and an indisputable embodiment of the Nigerian and African spirit.
“Ours is a vibrant community of young men and women who are both intellectual and hospitable, a cherished attribute that visitors to LASU will experience as they are treated to the famed Lagos hospitality.”
Olatunji-Bello said that upon his appointment as vice-chancellor of LASU in September 2021 by Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, he envisioned LASU as a great University with the potential to become the best in West Africa.
She said this led to the formulation of the six strategic goals that have guided his administration’s policies.
“The sixth goal aims to promote sports and recreational activities not only as an entertaining event but also as a healthy lifestyle choice that has the added advantage of immense business opportunities for staff and students.
“An objective that the hosting of the forthcoming FASU, and other games like NUGA will help foster,” she said.
Olatunji-Bello called on both local and international organisations, vendors, to partner and support the game.
She said that such support would also demonstrate their commitment as progressive partners in the development of Lagos and to the growth of sports in Africa.
Prof. Simeon Dosunmu, Chairman, LASU Sports Council, said that they were putting necessary facilities in place to have have the best and successful hosting.
Dosunmu said that they would be hosting and participating to win and compete favourably among other participants.
“In terms of facilities, we are rest assured and hold a promising note that LASU sports complex is turning around basically from tomorrow,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that FASU games is a biennial multi-sports event organised for university athletes by the Federation of African Universities Sports (FASU).
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It is also the biggest university Games on the African continent.
The inaugural FASU Games held in Accra, Ghana, in December 1974 with 13 participating countries.
The games would feature an exciting line-up of individual and team sports: athletics; badminton; chess; judo; table tennis; karate; taekwondo; swimming; basketball; football; volleyball; and handball.(NAN)
