The All Federation of African University Sports (FASU 2024) Games has ended on Sunday in Lagos, Nigeria.
The nine-day long event ended with the American University of Cairo, Egypt, topped the medals table.
The school won 46 gold, 24 silver and eight bronze medals to clinch the position leaving the second and third positions for the Lagos State University (LASU) Ojo and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Akoka.
While LASU finishing with 28 gold, 30 silver and 26 bronze, UNILAG went home with 25 gold, 33 silver and 40 bronze medals.
The two universities were co-host of the games event.
A total of 70 universities with over 800 sport men and women from 14 African countries including Angola, Zimbabwe, Egypt; Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, Ghana, Mauritius, Botswana, Tanzania and Guinea participated.
It was the 11th edition of the 50 years old tournament and second time that Nigeria would play host to it in history.
The first time was 20 years ago at Abubakar Tawawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi.
The maiden edition was held in Ghana in 1974 and countries such as Namibia, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, among others had also played host to the sporting fiesta.
The next edition in 2026, as announced at the closing ceremony, would be held at the American University of Cairo in Egypt. It was also announced that Egypt has won the coveted gold trophy of the competition for three consecutive times.
Many dignitaries, including royal fathers, however, were in attendance to witness the closing ceremony held at LASU Sports complex.
The opening ceremony was held at UNILAG also with dignitaries in attendance.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the President of FASU, Dr Ashraf Sobhy, who is also the Minister of Sports, Egypt, expressed happiness that the games event went well.
The minister, who was physically present at the opening ceremony at UNILAG, was represented at the closing ceremony at LASU by the Secretary General of FASU, Mrs. Peninnah Kobenge Aliyawese.
Sobhy commended the two co-host universities for their hospitality and well- coordinated event, declaring that the vice-chancellors of the two universities, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello (LASU) and that of UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola have been honoured with FASU’s patrons for the period of two years that the next event will take place.
He congratulated all the participants for their demonstration of love, unity and power of collaboration among themselves despite their diversities, urging them to continue in that manner as they return to their base.
In his remarks at the event, the governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the state’s Ministry for Tertiary Education, Mr. Adeniran Kasali, also expressed happiness for the successful ending of the competition.
He said he was particularly happy and felt honoured that the games event was brought to Lagos, the economic hub of Nigeria.
He urged the contingents to continue with friendship and the spirit of unity, love and oneness as they go back to their respective base, wishing them safe trips.
Earlier, in their separate speeches, the Vice-Chancellors of UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola and that of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, were visibly demonstrated their happiness not only that Nigeria played host to the rest of African countries but also for the two universities to have shown the power and result of collaboration.
They thanked God and the expanded local organising committees from both institutions, the about 350 volunteers and the Lagos State Government, corporate organisations, the media and individuals for their supports and contributions to the success of the games event.
They expressed optimism that there is a better tomorrow for African youths and the continent as a whole.
While commending their respective teams for the display of skills and talents culminating into their outstanding performance and congratulating them for winning second and third positions, the two female vice- chancellors, restated that the event was historic as it was the first time that two universities would co-host the competition.
They urged the students and their officials to sustain the spirit of love, unity, resilience, teamwork, fair games and power of collaboration and networking that the competition has offered them.
The high point of the event was the presentation of prizes to the top three winning institutions and the displayed of fireworks to signal the end of the edition.
The other institutions that complete the best 10 in the competition and according to their positions are the University of Ghana; University for Development Studies (Ghana); Ben Idahosa University (Nigeria); University of Cape Coast (Ghana); University of Zambia; Obafemi Awolowo University (Nigeria) and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (Ghana)
