“Everything is on point”- FASU Sec. Gen.
… “We are fully convinced that LASU is ready”- Organising Comm. Chair.
The Federation of Africa University Sports (FASU), on Friday, 16th August 2024, conducted its final inspection visit to facilities earmarked to host various sporting competitions at the Lagos State University ahead of the commencement of the 11th All Africa University Games, tagged Lagos 2024, slated to commence from 20th to 29th September, 2024. The competition will, for the first time, be jointly hosted by two universities – Lagos State University (LASU) and the University of Lagos.
Friday’s inspection visit saw the presence of the top echelon of relevant university sporting bodies team up for the facilities inspection. The Secretary-General, of FASU, Ms Peninnah Kanenge, led the high-powered delegation, which also included the President, West African University Games (WAUG), Mr Ibrahim Tank Shuaibu, and the President, Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) and Chairman, Organising Committee, Dr Bawa Mohammed.
The delegation touched the ground at about 9:20 a.m. and was received with funfair by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, and Alternate Chairman, LASU, Prof. Adenike Boyo and other Local Organising Committee members in front of the Babatunde Raji Fashola Senate Building and straightaway commenced the inspection.
At the Sports Centre, which was the first port of call, the officials inspected the newly upgraded basketball, volleyball, and handball courts before proceeding to inspect the field and the Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall where some other indoor games would be hosted.
Next, the train moved to the students’ hostel where about 1800 athletes and officials are expected to be housed throughout the Games. Satisfied with the state of the hostels, the officials went on to tour the Femi Gbajabiamila Conference Centre, which has been earmarked to serve as the dining complex for participants.
Also inspected were the Academic Resource Centre, a magnificent four-storey edifice where some indoor games such as Chess, Judo, Karate, and Taekwondo are expected to be held, and the FASU Secretariat on the 5th floor of the Senate Building.
The visit was rounded up with a meeting between the delegation and the Local Organising Committee where the Alternate Chairman, Prof. Boyo briefed the delegation on the activities carried out so far while expressing LASU’s readiness to host the Games. She said, ‘I make bold to say that the two (2) institutions are united to ensure that the Games are not only successful but also a memorable and transformative experience for all participants’. She further appreciated FASU for entrusting the university with the responsibility of co-hosting the sporting fiesta.
In his remarks, the Chairman Organising Committee, Dr Mohammed, said he was impressed by the level of preparedness of LASU judging by the facilities inspected. In his words, ‘After our inspection, the two universities, especially LASU, did not fall our hands. We have seen more than we expected’… “I am happy to say that LASU did not fall our hands.”
The Chairman of the delegation, Ms Kanenge, could not hide her excitement at the level of preparation by the university. She said, ‘…from what we have seen so far, I am happy to inform you that preparations are going remarkably well; we are impressed with the level of commitment and involvement from top management of both universities. Your active participation has set the stage for what promises to be an extraordinary showcase of talent, sportsmanship, and African unity’ while adding that “… everything is on point.”
The President of WAUG, Mr Shuaibu, was also full of praises for the university, averring that LASU and Unilag are set to give West Africa a solid representation as hosts of the Games.
With just about 30 days to the commencement of the Games, the Lagos State University, under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, continues to rally stakeholders to host what the Vice-Chancellor promises to ‘be the best games ever’.
It is noteworthy that while the inspection was ongoing, the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee was leading a publicity rally at the Ikeja Campus and the main campus, Ojo, to create more awareness for the Games among members of the university community and the general public as a whole.