By Kwame Bediako
President of the Ghana University Sports Association (GUSA), Shaibu Ibrahim Tanko, has called on the government to support in the association’s ongoing funding challenges. Despite the critical role GUSA plays in promoting sports at the tertiary level, including organizing the annual GUSA Games, efforts to secure sponsorship from private entities have proven unsuccessful. This situation raises concerns about the future of university sports in Ghana.
The University of Cape Coast is currently hosting the much-anticipated GUSA Games, which are set to conclude on January 18, 2025. These games are not only a platform for competition but also a vital opportunity for nurturing young talent who aspire to represent Ghana in national and international arenas. However, without adequate funding, the potential for growth and development within university sports remains stunted.
In an interview with Asempa FM, Tanko revealed that GUSA primarily relies on dues paid by universities across the country for its funding. Unfortunately, the lack of external sponsorship has severely limited the association’s capacity to expand its programs and enhance the overall quality of sports within Ghanaian universities. “Our funding is from the various universities. Every university pays dues to GUSA. We don’t have sponsors. We have been looking for sponsors for long, and we are not getting,” he stated.
Tanko further explained the disparity in government support for university sports in Ghana compared to other African nations such as Kenya and Uganda, where government institutions actively sponsor sports initiatives. His remarks highlight a pressing need for government intervention to bridge this gap and foster a more supportive environment for sports development at the tertiary level in Ghana.
