….. Heralds the Games with World Press Conference.
With almost 29 days to the 2024 Federation of African University Sports, FASU Games, the University of Lagos,UNILAG has expressed its readiness to deliver to the world of collegiate sports, a different model of hosting the Games in collaboration with its sister institution, the Lagos State University, LASU.
The 11th edition of the Games tagged “Lagos 2024” and themed: “Unite, Compete and Excel” will be jointly hosted by two of Nigeria’s leading universities, UNILAG and LASU, the first time ever co-hosting of the Games since its inception in 1974.
Speaking at a world press conference, Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS explained that hosting the Games by both universities
will also demonstrate a model of cooperation and collaboration between Federal and State Institution in Lagos.
Professor Ogunsola noted that the Games will take place across several locations within the city of Lagos including the Akoka and Ojo Campuses of the two universities between Friday, September 20 and Sunday, September 29, 2024. She further said: “We are more than excited to be playing host alongside our sister university, LASU, to an even wider and international audience of over 1,500 athletes and officials from universities drawn from across Africa.
According to the VC, female and male athletes will compete for laurels in 17 Games namely: Athletics (track and field), Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Handball, Badminton, Tennis, Table Tennis, Swimming, Taekwondo, Judo, Karate, Cricket, Hockey, Chess, Scrabble and Boxing (Demonstration Sport).
She said the opening ceremony of the 10-day event will hold on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the University of Lagos, Akoka while the closing ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at the Lagos State University in Ojo.
“Other features of the 10-day Games include the Scientific Conference during which sports academics will have the opportunity to share and create new knowledge around sports.”
“For us at the University of Lagos, the 11th FASU Games is coming 2 years after we single-handedly hosted the 26th Nigerian Universities Games (NUGA) with over 5,000 Athletes and officials across 75 Nigerian Universities on our Campus, it was such a remarkable outing which saw stakeholders unanimously rating the 26th NUGA “the best NUGA so far”.
“The 11th FASU Games will therefore be another opportunity for us to reth ate and improve upon the success stories of the 26th NUGA by showcasing our commitment to fostering sports excellence.”
While assuring all participants, officials, and spectators of upgraded sports facilities to international standards and provision of necessary logistics to guarantee a seamless and exciting event, the Vice Chancellor reiterated UNILAG’s commitment to deliver an unforgettable experience that reflects the spirit of African unity and excellence.