Africa-Press – Ghana. President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday rewarded the Male Football Team of the University for Development Studies (UDS) with GH₵500,000.00 for winning the 2025 International University Sports Federation (FISU) University World Football Trophy.
In addition, the Ministry of Education will honour the UDS with a 66-seater bus.
The UDS boys beat the defending champions, Paulista University from Brazil 2:1 in the final of the 2025 World Universities Games in Dalian, China.
President Mahama presented the package to the UDS Male Football Team at the Presidency in Accra, when he officially received the 2025 FISU Universities’ World Football Trophy from Professor Seidu Al-Hassan, the Vice Chancellor of the UDS.
President Mahama congratulated the gallant UDS Male Football Team, which have brought immense pride and glory to Ghana by winning the trophy.
“On behalf of the Government and the People of Ghana, I extend warm congratulations to you, your coaches, and the entire UDS community for this extraordinary achievement on the global stage,” he said.
The President said the World University Football Games represents the highest level of international competition in football for student-athletes, bringing together some of the best young talents from universities across the world.
“Competing and triumphing at that level is no small achievement. It demonstrates Ghana’s growing reputation in global sports and the depth of talents that our country possesses.
“This victory is not only a win for UDS, it is a statement that Ghanaian youth can compete and excel anywhere in the world when given the right opportunity and support.”
The President said the Team’s success also highlighted the importance of university sports as a bridge between education, academia, and professional athletic development, and as a tool for promoting international friendship, cultural exchange, and national pride.
He noted that their performance on the world stage had inspired millions of young Ghanaians and rekindled their collective belief in the potential of sports as a unifying and transformative force.
“You carried Ghana’s flag with dignity, discipline, and passion, values that define our national character.
“This, your victory, demonstrates that success is possible when we combine talents with teamwork, discipline, and perseverance,” he stated.
President Mahama also commended the UDS Vice Chancellor, the Management and the Sports Directorate of UDS for their vision and unwavering support for student-athletes.
He said the university’s balanced focus on academic excellence, character development, and sports had paid off, producing world-class ambassadors of Ghanaian education and resilience in the sports sector.
He said the achievement was also a tribute to the broader investment UDS had made in nurturing young people who excel beyond the classroom; saying “to the players, I say congratulations.”
“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,” he advised.
He urged the players to remain focused on their education and personal development; stating that the world was now watching them, and that they represent not just a university, but a nation with dreams and potential.
“You brought glory to Ghana and renewed the faith in the power of young people, education, and sports to transform lives. Carry this, your victory, with humility.
“Let it inspire others to dream boldly and work hard. The nation is proud of you. Keep the flag of Ghana flying high on the field and off the field,” President Mahama added.
Prof Al-Hassan, in his remarks said they adopted a 24-hour training programme for their team and that by the grace of God, they made it.
“I am so delighted to indicate to you that now that we are the best in the world, we’ll be defending the cup in two years’ time.
“We plan that next time we are going, we will be gender balanced. We want to go to them with men’s team, as well as our women’s team.”
Prof Al-Hassan said in 2028, the UDS would be hosting the Ghana Universities Sports Association Games, which meant that there was still potential for them to make the President even more proud.
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