The 27th edition of the Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) Games took off at the Paa Joe Sports complex at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) on Sunday.

An opening ceremony was held at the famous stadium on the KNUST campus to officially kick start the 2022 edition of the University games.

The opening ceremony on Monday saw the display of Ghanaian culture and tradition from all the participating schools.

The event attracted the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, Vice Chancellors of the various schools, GUSA executives, chiefs, student-athletes and NSA Boss, Prof Peter Twumasi.

Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and Pro Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Prof Ellis Owusu Dabo explained how KNUST had the facilities ready in time for the games.

“On the 13th of July 2021, Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology inaugurated the local organizing committee of the 27th edition of these games with the mandate to organize the games in an extraordinary manner and to ensure that, the KNUST will not only host these games but to host and win.

“The [LOC] got into action immediately and constituted 15 sub-committees to take charge of the various activities, the result is what we see today and in a couple of days, we are expecting that the flamboyance we’ve seen will be translated into actions on the various fields and courts. “ he said.

Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Prof Mrs Rita Akosua Dickson, emphasized the University accepting to host the 27th edition of the GUSA Games forms part of the University’s celebration of the 70th anniversary.

“Today marks a very significant imprint in the honour of KNUST for several reasons.

“During the 60th anniversary celebration of this noble, great University, we hosted the 22nd edition of the GUSA Games.

“It is significant therefore that during a year long program to celebrate our 70th anniversary, we can have the opportunity to host the 27th edition of the Games as part of the events to climax our 70th anniversary celebrations,” she said.

GUSA President, Shaibu Ibrahim Tanko, was excited the Games bounced back after the COVID-19 pandemic informed the suspension of the games for two years.

“I am extremely delighted that at long last, the 27th GUSA Games is here with us at the [KNUST].

“Let me take this opportunity to thank all the distinguished guests and dignitaries for taking time off your very busy schedules to come and partake in this event.

“Indeed, this is a clear manifestation of the serious that you attached to the growth of sports and the development of our youth in Ghana.” He said.

Dubbed KNUST 2022, sixteen institutions across the country will participate in this year’s games, which is expected to attract about 5,000 student-athletes.

The competition is being held under the theme: “Harnessing Sports Talents of Students for National Development through Healthy Competition using Science and Technology”.

The 18-day competition will include football, athletics, volleyball, hockey, handball, basketball, netball, goalball, badminton, table tennis, lawn tennis and beach volleyball.