By Charles Maduka
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folasade Ogunsola (OON, FAS), announced on Sunday, 29th September 2024, that the university plans to establish a sports academy to help maintain its sporting facilities in good condition. She made this known while speaking to reporters at the 11th Africa University Games (FASU), which was co-hosted by the University of Lagos and Lagos State University (LASU).
According to Professor Ogunsola, the university has invested significantly in building high-quality sports facilities, and it is important to maintain them. She emphasised that the academy will ensure these facilities are used regularly and do not fall into disrepair.
“We have a strategy in place to maintain these facilities because they are not cheap,” she said. “Aside from internal plans to outsource some of the facilities, we have also approved the creation of a sports academy for UNILAG. Work is already underway, and it will be ready soon. This will reduce the financial burden on the university for maintaining the facilities.”
The Vice-Chancellor added that the academy will facilitate the university’s ability to host inter-university competitions without incurring excessive maintenance costs.
The 11th FASU Games, which started on 21st September 2024, featured 17 different sports, with UNILAG hosting events such as football, basketball, swimming, and tennis, while LASU hosted the indoor games. Professor Ogunsola also disclosed that UNILAG now has three world-class basketball courts and the only swimming pool in Nigeria with a switch timer, which automatically records a swimmer’s time upon entering the water.
Professor Ogunsola further stated that UNILAG is exploring partnerships with other universities to ensure that the sports facilities are properly maintained and used frequently. “We are also open to collaborations with private investors to support what we already have,” she added.
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