President John Dramani Mahama has urged the University for Development Studies (UDS) football team to remain focused on both their education and athletic careers after their historic triumph at the 2025 World Universities Football Championship in China.
Speaking at a ceremony at the Jubilee House to honour the newly crowned world champions, President Mahama commended the players for making history as the first African team to win the competition, describing them as true ambassadors of Ghana and the African continent.
He said the government remains committed to strengthening youth and university sports, emphasizing the need to identify and nurture talent from the basic to tertiary levels.
“The world is now watching you, and you represent not just a university, but a nation with dreams and potential,” President Mahama said.
“My government, through the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the Ministry of Education, is working to strengthen youth and university sports systems to ensure that talented students, athletes like you, are identified, developed, and supported to reach professional levels.”
The President revealed that the government is working to establish a School Sports Authority — a body that will oversee sports development from the basic level to the university level — to create a clear pathway for student-athletes to progress into professional sports.
Encouraging the players to build on their success, President Mahama reminded them that their victory should be a stepping stone, not an endpoint.
“You’ve done yourselves, your university, and your country proud, but let this victory be the foundation, not the finish line. Continue to train with humility, discipline, and ambition, so that you can win many more laurels. Remain focused on your education and personal development,” he advised.
John Dramani Mahama also announced a ₵500,000 cash reward for the team in recognition of their outstanding achievement.
The UDS team made history by defeating Brazil’s Paulista University 2–1 in extra time in the final, coming from behind after conceding in the first ten seconds of the game.
They equalized in injury time before clinching the winner from a corner kick in extra time.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu praised the players for their discipline and commitment, urging them to maintain that same spirit both on and off the pitch.
He also addressed one of the university’s long-standing challenges — the absence of a school bus — and assured the team that steps were being taken to address it.
“One of the major limitations of UDS is that they don’t have a bus. I’ve spoken to the administrator of GETFund, who is purchasing 66-seater buses for a number of educational institutions. Mr. President, in the first quarter of 2026, you will have the honour of presenting one of those buses to UDS,” Haruna Iddrisu revealed.
He further emphasized the importance of character and discipline, saying:
“Discipline, discipline is what is required of you — both on the pitch and outside the pitch. The country is very proud of you.”
The UDS victory marks a milestone not only for Ghana but for Africa, proving that university sports on the continent can compete at the highest level.
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Story by Erica Odeenyin Odoom
