With 40 days to the commencement of the 11th Federation of African Universities’ Sports (FASU) Games, Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, 00N, FAS, says UNILAG is co-hosting to win.
Speaking at the UNILAG Sports Centre shortly after the fortnightly “Walk for Life Exercise” which held on Saturday, August 10, 2024, Professor Ogunsola described the fast-approaching FASU Games as another opportunity for UNILAG to consolidate upon the milestones of the 26th Nigerian Universities’ Games (NUGA) of 2022 hosted singlehandedly by UNILAG, which stakeholders unanimously adjudged the “best NUGA Games so far” and saw Team UNILAG finishing as the 1st Runner up on the Medals Table.
Addressing the audience among whom were Principal officers, senior members of faculty, the Team UNILAG contingent and sports enthusiasts who participated in the Walk for Life Exercise, Prof Ogunsola said the trek, besides being a physical fitness routine was also targeted at drumming up awareness and sensitizing the campus community and its environs about the 11th FASU Games which is being co-hosted by the University of Lagos and the Lagos State University.
While assuring of the university management’s preparedness to play its part in making the 11th FASU another huge success, the Vice-Chancellor charged Team UNILAG members to gear up, put in their best while in training and be ready to give a good account of themselves by winning as many medals and trophies as possible.
She said “… we will be hosting athletes from across Africa…FASU will be fun, fast and intense, while I implore you (Team UNILAG athletes) to be intense in all your sports, I assure you to leave the fun to the university management”.
The “Walk for Life Exercise” took off from the UNILAG Sports Centre a few minutes past 7:00 am. The entire crowd of participants led by Professor Folasade Ogunsola, walked through major parts of UNILAG main campus, Akoka from the Faculty of Education to access the Ransom Kuti way to the DLI Roundabout before accessing Professor Akin Adesola road to link the Tafawa Balewa Drive.
The walk, which lasted about one hour, continued through the UNILAG Senate House Road to the Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe Drive to link the Dan Fodio Boulevard and straight down to UNILAG Sports Complex where participants were also taken through a session of stretch exercises.
Other highlights of the “Walk for Life Exercise” was the commissioning of an 18-seater bus newly branded for the 11thFASU Games.
The 11th Federation of African Universities’ Sports (FASU) Games (also tagged LAGOS 2024) is slated to hold fromFriday, September 20 to Saturday, September 29, 2024.
Report: Gbenga Gbelee
Photography: Samuel Dosumu