The opening ceremony was the main attraction on day two of the ongoing Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) Games at University of Ghana, Legon.

The ceremony was held at the Mensah Sarbah Hall football field with over two thousand athletes from 11 universities in attendance. 

One of the key speakers at the ceremony was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Ebenezer Oduro Owusu. He said he hopes the GUSA Games would be an avenue for developing sports talents in universities and the country.

“GUSA should also have a second look at its routine and periodic games and move towards nurturing and developing talents in sports at the universities.”

GUSA President, Dr Charles Dumfeh, then revealed that Ghana has won the race to host the Federation of African University Sports (FASU) games in 2022.

“I, therefore, urge member institutions of GUSA embrace this call as it will be great to see all African universities come to Ghana for FASU 2022, Ghana stands to any university which agrees to host FASU 2022 cannot be overemphasized.”

However, before the opening ceremony, some games were held in Tennis, Football, Handball, Volleyball and Basketball. 

Tennis;

it started with a high-intensity of the men’s singles clash between University of Ghana’s Nyarko and Fumi of University of Cape Coast in the men’s singles. Fumi who is number one by Ghana Tennis Federation (GTF) won by two straight sets 6-0, 6-1 to book a place in the semifinals.

Also in the men’s singles, Emmanuel Plange from the University of Cape Coast progressed to the quarter-final after 6-2, 5-3 victory over Akpese, who represented the University of Ghana. Akpese couldn’t complete the game as he sustained an injury during the second set. 

In the doubles events, Adongo and Amuzu from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) lost to Bernard Armah and Richmond Armah from University of Education Winneba. The Armah brothers thrashed the team of Kumasi-based school 6-2, 6-1 to cement a place for the men’s doubles semifinals.

The women’s singles saw Naa Shika Adu of University of Gana earned a  6-4, 2-6, 6-2 victory over Fatimah Sali from University of Education Winneba to qualify for the semi-finals. 

Also, another University of Ghana student Priscilla Dosoo reached the semi-finals after overcoming Gertrude Quartey of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in two straight sets. 

In the women’s doubles, Fatima Saliu and Ibrahim Mariam from University of Education Winneba defeated Apatu and Benewaa from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology 6-0, 6-0. 

Football:

Ghana Institute of Journalism’s woes continued with a defeat against University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho. The match finished 0-0 with GIJ losing 5-3 on penalties. It was GIJ second defeat of the competition. 

University of Ghana (UG) made light work of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration. UG won 3-0. 

Foster Adjago scored a hat-trick as Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology demolished the University of Health and Allied Sciences 5-0. 

Handball:

Only one game was played and it was in the female category as University of Development Studies beat Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology 49-7.

Volleyball:

Male category, University of Ghana beat University of Mines and Technology 3-0 in three sets while University of Cape Coast posted a similar victory against University of Development Studies in the female category. 

Basketball:

In the female category, Univesity of Ghana beat University of Development Studies 82-9.

Also, Univerisity of Education Winneba won 49-37 against Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. 

For the male category, University of Ghana thumped Ghana Institute of Journalism 103-8. 

The games continue on Tuesday, January 7 2020.