The Director of Sports at the University for Development Studies, UDS, Mr. Shaibu Ibrahim Tanko has been voted as West Africa University Sports Federation (WAUSF) President at a Congress held in Nigeria in December 2023.the Other Ghanaian, Mr. Timothy Kwabena Mensah, from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, who doubles as the Secretary of the Ghana University Sports Association, GUSA, was voted the second vice president.

The election came off during the 15th West African Universities Games, hosted by the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, in December 2023. Mr. Shaibu Ibrahim Tanko emerged victorious with an overwhelming majority defeating his Nigerian contender.

The West Africa University Games had remained dormant for some time until the Federation of Africa University Sports, tasked a team led by Mr. Ibrahim Tanko to revive the sub regional university sports event.

In his acceptance address, the newly elected president passionately thanked the electoral college for the confidence reposed in him and assured them of his commitment to ensure that WAUSF becomes a breeding ground for sporting talent in West Africa. He encouraged all universities across West Africa to join the association, emphasizing that their collective participation would strengthen the organization.

The West African University Games (WAUG), previously known as the ECOWAS Students Games, is a multi-sport event that brings together student-athletes from universities across West Africa. The competition was inaugurated in 1965 in Ibadan, Nigeria. The idea for this development emerged during a conference of West African Universities held in Ibadan in 1964, with a purpose to serve as a platform for friendly athletic competition, fostering camaraderie and sportsmanship among students from different West African nations.

The UDS community is proud of the achievement of its Director of Sports, and wishes him well in his new role as the President of West Africa University Sports Federation.

Story by:
Hajara Adam
UDS Media