President John Dramani Mahama has presented a cash prize of GHC500,000 to the University for Development Studies (UDS) for their historic victory at the 2025 FISU World University Football Tournament in China.
UDS made history as the first African university to win the global competition after staging a stunning 2-1 comeback against Brazil’s Paulista University in the final.
The triumphant team paid a courtesy call on President Mahama at the Jubilee House to present the trophy, where he lauded their resilience, teamwork, and representation of Ghana on the world stage.
In recognition of their achievement, the President announced plans to establish a School Sports Authority; a new initiative aimed at coordinating sports development from the basic to tertiary levels.
“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 or athletes are identified, developed, and supported to reach professional levels,” President Mahama said.
The victory in China came in dramatic fashion, with captain Mohammed Sulemana equalising in stoppage time before Ezedeen Alhassan’s extra-time header sealed the win.
The UDS squad arrived home to a heroes’ welcome at Kotoka International Airport on Sunday, October 5, with fans and students hailing their feat as a defining moment for Ghanaian university sports.
