The University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) has been commended for its successful hosting of the 28th Ghana University Sports Association (GUSA) Cross Country and 2nd Minor Games.

The event, which took place from October 27 to November 1, 2025, brought together 16 public universities from across the country to compete in a range of sports including Ampe, Chess, Scrabble, Tug of War, and Cross Country.

UESD’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson, in his welcome address, said hosting the event reflected the university’s growing contribution to higher education and sports development in Ghana.

The President of GUSA, Mr. Shaibu Ibrahim Tanko, praised UESD for its exceptional organisation, describing the university’s effort as a milestone for a young institution only five years old.

“We want the young universities to grow. UESD is just five years old, and in that short time, look at the mileage they’ve achieved. Hosting GUSA is no small feat, and they have managed everything to everyone’s satisfaction,” he said.

Mr. Tanko also highlighted the importance of GUSA as a breeding ground for national sporting talent, noting that “most of Ghana’s national athletes are products of the GUSA Games.”

Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Kwame Poku, said the event had given UESD immense exposure and visibility. “Our facilities are not yet adequate to host the big GUSA Games, so we decided to start with the Mini GUSA for exposure. Many participants didn’t know about our university before this event, and they were impressed by what they saw,” he noted.

The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Awatey, also visited the games and commended athletes for their sportsmanship, encouraging them to continue balancing academics with sports excellence.

The 28th GUSA Cross Country and Minor Games highlighted the rising importance of lesser-known sports in Ghana’s tertiary institutions, aligning with the event’s theme: “Harnessing the Lesser-Known Sports: The Key to Developing the 21st Century Sportsman.”

For UESD, the success of the games represents a major step in its mission to use sports as a platform for growth, visibility, and collaboration within Ghana’s higher education landscape.

By: Emma Pimpong