UG Sports Directorate Delegation Calls on Vice-Chancellor

Officials of the University of Ghana in a group picture with the delegation

A delegation of students’ sportsmen and women recently called on the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, to present awards won at various sub-regional and continental games. 

In his opening remarks, the Director of Sports, Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu, who led the delegation, also briefed the Vice-Chancellor of the achievements of the University’s sports men and women in the 2018/2019 academic year at the West African University Games held in the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, the Pan African Debate Championships held in Tanzania and the World Debate Championship in Cape Town, South Africa.

While thanking the Vice-Chancellor for his personal support and commitment to the Sports Directorate, Dr. Bitugu also extended heartfelt appreciation to management for the immense support towards the Directorate’s participation in international competitions, and to members of the University community for their support and encouragement.

At the end of the West African University Games, the University of Ghana placed 3rd with regard to the number of overall medals as shown in the medal table.  With respect to the number of gold medals won, UG placed 7th out of thirty-six (36) participating universities.

Director of Sports, Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu

Ebo Annan of the Handball Team was named the Most Valuable Handball player during the games. Emmanuel Nimo of the athletics team won gold in the 400m and also led the team comprising of Bossman Pinkrah, Blance Otoo and Etiam Kwaku Torgbenu to win gold in the 4x100m. Belinda Dei and Emmanuel Commey also won gold in table tennis mixed doubles.

The Pan African Debate Championships also saw Jeremiah Kobby Sekyi and Solomon Omani-Mensah of the University of Ghana team (The Blazers) place fourth in the competition.  In public speaking, Jeremiah Kobby Sekyi and Daniel Obeng qualified for the finals as part of the top 5 speakers out of 105 speakers. Corchill Kwame Kelly and Solomon Omani Mensah qualified to the final judging panel out of 35 judges.

The President of the University of Ghana Debate Society, Jeremiah Kobby Sekyi Jeremiah,  a level 300 Pharmacy student was crowned the champion of Public Speaking making him the first Ghanaian to win this gong at the WUDC since its inception in 1981.

 He was elated and expressed his feelings after winning the award: 

“As President of the Debate Society, I have always promoted the idea that public speaking deserves equal attention as debate does, and that being a successful public speaker requires devotion and practice. Hence, being the WUDC Public Speaking Champion will not only enable me train others to achieve the same feat in the upcoming championships, but will also prove that anyone who commits to the society in that manner can achieve the same and much more.”

Abigail Adepa Danso and Solomon Omani-Mensah were also semi-finalists judges at public speaking. Mr. Antonio Edem Asinyo, Coach of the University of Ghana Debate society was also voted President of the World Universities Debate Competition.

Dr. Bitugu was pleased to inform the Vice-Chancellor that due to the exploits in recent events, the University will be participating in the maiden African Universities Olympic Games in Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt from 12th -19th March, 2019 to be hosted by the Association of African Universities.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu opined that sports was a major form of investment and the University was eager to invest in it. He envisioned an era where the University could train and manage professional athletes who could be marketed all over the world to make the University visible and generate income for the University.  Prof. Oduro Owusu pledged the University’s continued support for the promotion of sports in the University.

The Vice-Chancellor encouraged the delegation to take their studies seriously and be disciplined as sportsmen/women, adding that discipline is the hallmark of sports.  He said, good sportsmen/women are able to effectively combine sports and academics and charged the students to ensure they also excelled academically so that they can help turn the fortunes of the country around.  Prof. Oduro Owusu encouraged the students to assist in bringing about national development instead of seeking greener pastures abroad.  This, he noted, will be the legacies for which they will be remembered by posterity.

 Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Mr. Jeremiah Kobby Sakyi expressed sincere gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor for his support and also promised to work hard in spheres of their lives to make the University proud.

Mr. Jeremiah Kobby Sakyi

Present at the event were Mrs. Stella Amoa, Director of Public Affairs, Dr. George Akanlig Pare, Member, University of Ghana Sports Advisory Board, Mrs. Regina Afari Boateng, Assistant Registrar, Sports Directorate and Mrs. Mavis Osafo-Adu, Assistant Registrar, Public Affairs Directorate.

 

 

Please click here for more pictures of the event