The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Basic School has opened the 8th edition of the University Basic School Association (UBaSSA) Games, a week-long competition that brings together young athletes from university basic schools across Ghana.
The games, which run from Sept. 9 to 14 at the Paa Joe Sports Stadium in Kumasi, feature students from KNUST, the University of Cape Coast (UCC), the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), and the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS). Events include soccer, athletics such as 100m, 200m, 400m and the 4x100m relay, as well as the long jump and high jump.
At the opening ceremony, KNUST Basic School Headteacher Rev. Irene Owusua Nkansah said the competition was more than just a sporting event.
“This competition is more than just a sporting event. It is a platform to celebrate potential, ignite passion, and witness the best of future champions,” she said.
She urged the athletes to channel their vitality into excellence both on and off the field.
“True excellence lies in both victory and graceful defeat. Our goal is to inspire a standard of excellence that transcends home, shaping well-rounded individuals for the future of our nation,” she said.
Prof. Kwaku Amaning Adjei said the games were about more than winning, emphasising their role in fostering friendships and nurturing talent.
“Compete with integrity, give your best, and use the experience as a stepping stone to make a positive difference in your lives,” he said.
Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. David Asamoah encouraged the students to embrace fair play.
“I hope that this gathering will ignite new energy for a better impact that truly inspires sports excellence across our basic schools,” he said.
KNUST Director of Sports Timothy Mensah thanked management for supporting the games and called for long-term investment.
He urged UBaSSA to “follow the paradigm of the Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) to further motivate students” and stressed the need for “adequate funding to ensure the successful organisation of the competition.”
