At the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the Brunei Sports Complex has become one of the sanctuaries for many students seeking physical fitness and mental well-being.
In the evenings, when lectures wind down and academic pressures momentarily ease, students flock to the Brunei Sports Complex. This space comes alive as students engage in exercises that rejuvenate their bodies and minds after long, demanding days.
Maame Serwaa Achampong-Kyei, a sixth-year Doctor of Optometry student, turned to the gym as a refuge during a difficult time.
“I was depressed and needed a way to release stress,” she explains.
“Physical pain at the gym helps me numb the emotional pain. The gym community is very welcoming, and though it gets crowded at the beginning of the year with the ‘new year, new me’ goals, it remains a supportive space.”
For Andrew Adjakwaku, a first-year Public Administration student, the gym is an essential part of his routine.
“A healthy body is a healthy mind,” he says. “I come here to ensure that I’m always healthy and fit, not just to look good but to stay healthy.”
Similarly, Etokwudo Ebubechukwu, a fourth-year International Student from Nigeria reading Nursing, sees the gym as both a stress reliever and a means to achieve personal goals.
“I had a body goal I wanted for myself, so I started going to the gym,” she says.
“It taught me consistency, one of life’s most important values. Whatever you want to achieve, don’t give up just because you’re not seeing immediate results.”
She recalls moments of frustration, even tears, but credits her coach for helping her believe in herself. “You need to appreciate every little transformation. In anything you’re doing, just be consistent.”
Stephane John-Alexander Madiba Ndoumbe, an international student from Cameroon in his final year studying Supply Chain and Logistics, is a devoted fitness enthusiast.
Reflecting on his gym journey, he shares, “I’ve been in the gym since my first year, and it’s taught me patience and discipline. These values extend beyond fitness; they’ve shaped my approach to life.”
Story by Abena Serwaa Gyamfi | Photos by Isaac Kwaku Duah
