The University of Ghana (UG) and the University of Cape Coast (UCC) have won gold at the 25th Ghana University Sports Association (GUSA) Cross-Country competition. 

The GUSA Games which were subjected to a three-year moratorium were ushered in with a 10-kilometre race. 

It was hosted on the campus of the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho and contested by 10 Universities. 

The University of Ghana scored 47 points to emerge first in the male category, while the University of Cape Coast had 53 points to win the female category. 

The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) and University of Development Studies (UDS), won the second and third positions respectively in the female category with 65 and 118 points. 

The University of Education and the University of Cape Coast scored 88 and 94 points to secure the second and third positions in the male category. 

Individual performance 

Sarah Koomson of UDS finished the 10-kilometre cross-country race in 35:25.88 clinching the first position in the female category. 

UCC’s Titi Rosina finished second in 36:25.50, with Hilda Bayor who represented UDS completing the race in 38.45.10 to occupy the third position. 

William Amponsah of UEW, who just returned from the Commonwealth games in Birmingham without a medal, proved he is one of the best cross-country runners in the country by completing the 10-kilometre race in 29:17.00. 

His compatriot from UEW, Atia Koogo won the second position in 29:55.53, Arthur Ishmael who represented UG finished the race in 30:09.41.

Host and win 

The University of Health and Allied Sciences, the host school, could not make their mark as they finished 8th in the male category and 7th, technically the last position, in the female category. 

The Registrar of UHAS, Miss Yaa Amankwaa Opuni, appreciated the pivotal role of the School of Sports and Exercise Medicine in ensuring the University hosted the cross-country competition.

She expressed optimism that UHAS would host all the disciplines of the GUSA games when a sporting complex is provided to the University in the near future. 

She believes the University would excel in future competitions when the complex is ready to aid participants to prepare well enough for any sporting activity. 

The President of GUSA, Ibrahim Tanko, said the association would collaborate with the national authorities to produce athletes who would win medals at the world stage. 

He disclosed that KNUST would host the main 25th GUSA games from November 12th to November 19th 2022. 

The rest of the contesting universities in the 10-kilometre cross-country race were the University of Mines and Technology (UMAT), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) and the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, Wa.