The University for Development Studies (UDS) Athletics Team has left an indelible mark on the 11th Federation of Africa University Sports (FASU) Games, which were held in Lagos, Nigeria. The team’s outstanding performance has not only elevated the reputation of the university but also demonstrated Ghana's growing strength in collegiate athletics on the African continent.

Golden Glory
The UDS Athletics team returned home with an impressive tally of medals, earning a total of eight gold medals across various track and field events. Leading the charge was Eric Annobil, who claimed the gold medal in the men’s 110m hurdles, demonstrating both his speed and technical prowess. Grace Aduntira was another standout performer, securing a double-gold triumph in the women’s 400m and 400m hurdles, further solidifying her reputation as a versatile sprinter and hurdler.

Frank Addo delivered a commanding performance in the men’s 400m, bringing home another gold for UDS. The men’s 4x400m relay team also took gold, adding to the team’s remarkable achievement on the track. 

UDS's dominance extended into the mixed relay, where the university’s team won the 4x400m mixed relay, underlining their teamwork and endurance.

Selina Adongo’s brilliance in the field events added two more gold medals to UDS’s tally. She secured victories in both the women’s long jump and high jump events, showcasing her all-around athleticism and making her one of the standout athletes of the games.

Silver and Bronze Accolades
In addition to the gold medals, UDS athletes also earned two silver medals. Musah Amadu finished in second place in the men’s 400m hurdles, while Bernice Bedih secured silver in the women’s 400m, coming just behind her teammate Grace Aduntira. The competition in these races was fierce, but the UDS athletes demonstrated incredible resilience.

Rounding off their medal haul, UDS also claimed two bronze medals. The men’s 4x100m relay team finished third, earning a well-deserved bronze medal. Additionally, UDS’s women’s high jump event saw the university take home another bronze, thanks to the valiant efforts of its athletes.

Impact of the Victory
The success of UDS at the 11th FASU Games has had a significant impact on both the university and the broader sports community in Ghana. The athletes' achievements have inspired students across the country to pursue sports and have enhanced UDS’s status as a powerhouse in African university sports.

For UDS, the medals represent not just athletic triumphs but also a testament to the university’s investment in sports development. This victory is expected to motivate greater support for university athletics in Ghana and may lead to increased interest from corporate sponsors looking to associate with the growing success of Ghanaian university sports teams.

Additionally, the team’s victory contributes to the narrative of Ghana as an emerging force in collegiate athletics on the African continent, and the athletes’ performance in Lagos has already sparked discussions about future international competitions.

As the UDS Athletics Team celebrates its success, attention now turns to future competitions, where the university will aim to build on this success and continue to raise the profile of Ghanaian sports at the international level.

Medals Won by UDS Athletics Team at the 11th FASU Games:

Gold Medals:

1. Eric Annobil – 110m hurdles men
2. Grace Aduntira – 400m women
3. Grace Aduntira – 400m hurdles women
4. Frank Addo – 400m men
5. Men’s 4x400m relay
6. Mixed 4x400m relay
7. Selina Adongo – Long jump women
8. Selina Adongo – High jump women

Silver Medals:

1. Musah Amadu – 400m hurdles men
2. Bernice Bedih – 400m women

Bronze Medals:

1. Men’s 4x100m relay
2. Women’s high jump

This outstanding performance has undeniably set the stage for UDS to continue excelling on the African and global stage in university sports.

Story by:
Abdul-Hayi Moomen
(UDS Media)