The 11th All-African University Games (FASU) came to a dramatic close yesterday, Sunday September 29, 2024 at the Lagos State University (LASU) sports complex, leaving behind a trail of excitement, emotions, and newfound friendships.
The American International University in Cairo emerged champions for the third consecutive time, dominating the medal table with 46 gold, 28 silver, and eight bronze medals.
Co-hosts, the Lagos State University (LASU) finished second with 28 gold, 30 silver, and 26 bronze, while the University of Lagos (UNILAG) secured third place with 25 gold, 23 silver, and 40 bronze medals.
The 10-day event, which brought together 68 universities from across Africa, including Mauritius, fostered new relationships and bridged borders. Athletes bid tearful goodbyes, promising to stay connected through social media. Zambian athletes Mutinta Hebeene and Peter Morga expressed their emotions, with Morga stating, “I am emotional as I will be leaving friends behind… But there is social media. We can always connect.”
The closing ceremony mirrored the opening, with schools marching past dignitaries, including Oba Saheed Elegushi, Governor of Lagos State (represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Waheed Kasali), and Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa (represented by Abiodun Orekoya).
NUGA President Bawa Mohammed hailed the 11th FASU Games as historic, marking Nigeria's first hosting in 20 years. "It's a remarkable feat," he said, noting over 1,000 youths benefited as athletes.
Mohammed emphasized the event's success in bridging borders and fostering connections among young Africans, despite inevitable challenges.
In her closing remarks, the University of Lagos Vice Chancellor, Ogunsola Folashade, stressed the importance of sports in education and development. She called for continued collaboration among African universities to foster growth in sports, urging student-athletes to uphold values of friendship, respect, and fair play.
Quoting James Thomas Anthony Calvano, she encouraged perseverance, saying, “Never give up! Failure and rejection are only the first steps to success.” Professor Folashade expressed gratitude to all participants and reiterated UNILAG’s commitment to using sports for youth empowerment and community development.
LASU Vice Chancellor Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello praised the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for their excellent coordination of the games and encouraged student-athletes to remain focused on pursuing excellence in their respective fields.
FASU representative Tsitsi Muzuva commended LASU and UNILAG's collaboration, naming them "patriots of university sports."
