Kumasi, June 20, GNA - Professor Kwesi Andam, Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has called on Africa Universities to foster closer ties and work towards modalities for the establishment of excellent sports centres on their campuses. He said with such arrangements the Universities could become the focal point of unearthing excellent sports men and women who would be capable of excelling at local and international competitions.

Prof Andam was speaking at the opening of the second West Africa University Soccer and Hockey championships at the KNUST Paa Joe Stadium in Kumasi on Saturday. Eighteen Universities in the sub-region are competing for honours in the two sporting disciplines being hosted by the KNUST. The 10-day tournament forms part of measures to cement and strengthen the cordial relationship existing among Universities in the Region. Prof Andam said in the face of the continent's resolve to redeem its image globally, there was the need for concerted efforts by the Universities to churn out world class sports men and women who could pursue Africa's hopes and aspirations through sports development. "The culture of exercise should also be integrated with the curriculum of all universities to ensure that students led healthy lifestyles", he said.

Professor Lasun Emiola, President of the West African University Games (WAUG), commended the KNUST for having accepted the challenge to host the tournament, stressing that it behoved heads of academic boards of universities in the sub-region to support the competition for it to achieve its objectives. In the opening soccer match, KNUST beat Adekunle Ajasin University of Ondo State of Nigeria 2-1.