The Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, on Tuesday, announced the commencement of preparations towards the successful co-hosting of the forthcoming Federation Of African Universities Sports (FASU) festival with the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
The management of the institution assured Nigerians that the university would make maximum inputs to make the sports festival the best ever and emerge winner of the contest having received blessings and assurance from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Professor Olatunji-Bello stated this as she briefed the media on the update and preparations ahead of the FASU games tagged: “Lagos 2024”.
Speaking at the conference which was held at the Council Chamber of the Babatunde Raji Fashola Senate building, she disclosed that the festival will commence from the 20th to 29th of September 2024.
The VC appealed to well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to join hands with LASU to co-host the 2024 FASU games that was last hosted by Nigeria in 2004, saying such synergy has become crucial to ensure the success of the sports festival.
She said, “Our Marketing/Fund Raising Committee is already on the field to solicit the support of Nigerians, and individual and corporate sponsorships.”
“We also invite vendors to participate with us by showcasing their goods and services throughout the campus during the games.Your partnership and support are crucial to the success of this tournament which will showcase the spirit of unity and collaboration that defines us as Nigerians.”
She disclosed that a delegation from the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) Organising Committee to inspect facilities and interact with the management on the 12th and 13th June, 2024.
Professor Olatunji-Bello revealed that LASU’s rehabilitated sporting facilities has made it a competitive destination for national and continental sporting events as a remarkable feat confirmed in the rights granted the University to co-host the 11th FASU Games with the University of Lagos (UNILAG), saying it would be the best FASU games ever.
“I am confident that there is no better city to host the finest athletes in African Universities at this point than Lagos, the Centre of Excellence and the city of Aquatic splendour, home to over 20 million people from all parts of Nigeria and the globe. “Likewise, the games could not have had a better co-host than Lagos State University”.
She affirmed that 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.
Responding to question on accommodation for participants, Professor Olatunji-Bello allayed fears, saying 3 blocks of hostel accommodations are ready for 2,000 participants in addition to other arrangements to accommodate athletes amd officials comfortably.
Ten editions of FASU games have been held since inception: in Ghana 1974, Kenya 1978, Nigeria 2004, South Africa 2006, Uganda 2008, Namibia 2012, Kenya 2014, South Africa 2016, Ethiopia 2018, and Kenya 2022.
