University of Allied and Health Sciences (UHAS) hosted this year’s 25th Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) 10km Cross Country Competition on the theme “Running for Health”, from August 11 to 14.
At the end of the competition, Sarah Koomson of UDS made a time of 35.25s to finish first in the female race, followed by UCC and UDS with a time of 36.25s and 38.45s respectively. Subsequently, in the male cross-country race, William Amponsah of UEW, who represented Ghana at the just-ended Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, won the race with 29.17s; his colleague came in 2nd with 29.55s; and the contender from UG finished the race with 30.09s.
UCC was adjudged the overall winner in the female race, followed by UEW and UDS who placed 2nd and 3rd respectively. The overall winner in the male race was University of Ghana, who made an astonishing comeback from their last win in 2014. UEW and UCC placed 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Universities that competed in the August 13 competition are: UHAS; University of Ghana (UG); Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST); University of Cape-Coast (UCC); University of Education, Winneba (UEW); University of Development Studies (UDS); University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR); University of Mines and Technology (UMAT); Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED); and Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS).
Acting Dean of Students, Dr. Judith Anaman, who spoke on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, said this year’s theme is reflective of the UHAS motto, “Health for Development” which sets high standards of behaviour, promotes traditional values, and underpins lifelong learning for achievement. She said such competitions significantly improve physical and mental health while making the dream of athletes come true.
Ms. Yaa Amankwaa Opuni, Registrar of UHAS said, as an institution, we believe that sports improves mental health and will help students’ educational process and progress, “that is why we have invested so much in this competition, and the University is hopeful of building a sports complex capable of hosting national events in the future,” she said. She also acknowledged the pivotal role played by the School of Sports and Exercise Medicine (SSEM-UHAS) and other stakeholders in successfully executing this year’s event.
Mr. Ibrahim Tanko, GUSA President, said the 25th GUSA Games ushers in the main GUSA Games after a long break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also commended organizers for having an incident-free event.
Prof. Oluwaseun Omotayo, Chairman, Local Organizing Committee, said the committee deployed the expertise of staff, both local and expatriate, in rolling out this year’s event, and commended them for an impressive display of sportsmanship. He said the event was to also allow better networking between students and staff, adding that UHAS was readying itself for the main GUSA Games happening later this year at KNUST.
Special awards, medals, and trophies were given to athletes and competing teams for their stellar performances.