UDS feat at FISU World University Games to inspire investment in university sports
The President of the Ghana University Sports Association (GUSA) and Director of Sports at the University for Development Studies, Mr Shaibu Ibrahim Tanko, has stated that his team’s progression into the semi-final of the competition was not easy but had been the target prior to the university games.
“The journey to this stage, the semi-final, has not been easy, as all universities have prepared thoroughly because of the ‘World Cup’ tag. It was expected, since our preparation was to reach this far and ultimately win,” he told East Legon-based Zed 101.9FM in an interview.
Mr Tanko, who also serves as the UDS head coach, explained that the achievement is significant, noting that even national teams struggle to reach this stage globally, and it could motivate other institutions or the government to invest in university sports.
“For Ghana, it has been a leap from one step to the next, since reaching this stage has recently been a challenge for our national teams. For that reason, we should take pride as Ghanaians in this feat. Moreover, it is likely to motivate other universities to invest in sports, as the exposure and marketing for the university will be far-reaching,” he added.
UDS qualified for the FISU tournament after emerging as champions at the African Championship held in Lagos, Nigeria, in September 2024.
On Friday, all eyes will be on the African champions when they face Spain’s Granada University. UDS will be aiming to extend their unbeaten streak and move closer to making history in the final on Sunday.
Their opponents, the Spaniards, came from behind to defeat the University of Split 3-2 in their quarter-final, demonstrating their resilience.
However, against UDS’s attacking firepower, Granada faces a formidable challenge.
