LASU, under the leadership of its Vice-Chancellor, has announced its preparedness to host the forthcoming 11th All Africa Universities Games, in collaboration with the University of Lagos.
Scheduled from September 20 to 29, 2024, the event anticipates participation from over 3,500 students representing approximately 100 universities across West Africa, as affirmed by the organizers.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Vice Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, made this known on Tuesday at the media briefing of the 11th FASU Games in Lagos.
Olatunji-Bello said LASU was ready to co-host the rest of Africa at the games.
She said the varsity was looking forward to partnering with well-meaning individuals and organisations that would bring immense sporting and business opportunities to athletes and co-hosts.
She said, “LASU does not only have the physical facilities but it also boasts of the human and material resources to co-host an unforgettable sporting spectacle.
“With over 50,000 young people currently studying on its campuses, we are a melting pot of cultures of various Nigerian and African ethnicities and an indisputable embodiment of the Nigerian and African spirit.
“Ours is a vibrant community of young men and women who are both intellectual and hospitable, a cherished attribute that visitors to LASU will experience as they are treated to the famed Lagos hospitality.”
Olatunji-Bello said upon her appointment as the VC in September 2021 by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, she envisioned LASU as a great university with the potential to become the best in West Africa.
She said this led to the formulation of the six strategic goals that had guided her administration’s policies.
“The sixth goal aims to promote sports and recreational activities not only as an entertaining event but also as a healthy lifestyle choice that has the added advantage of immense business opportunities for staff and students.
“An objective that the hosting of the forthcoming FASU, and other games like NUGA will help foster,” she said.
FASU is the governing body of university sports in Africa, according to information on its website. FASU is a continental, non-governmental, non-profit organisation and is responsible for the development of sports in African universities within its jurisdiction by encouraging African governments to develop and promote sporting activities in their various universities.