President Mahama presents GH¢500,000 to UDS football team after World University Games triumph
President John Dramani Mahama has commended the University for Development Studies (UDS) football team for winning the World University Football Games, where they defeated Brazil in the final to lift the trophy.
The President made the remarks when the team paid a courtesy call on him at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.
He described their triumph as an extraordinary achievement that has brought pride to Ghana.
“You have brought immense pride and glory to Ghana by winning the World University Football Games, beating no meaner team than Brazil,” Mr Mahama said.
“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.”
Mr Mahama announced that the Presidency was presenting GH¢500,000 to the team in recognition of their achievement.
“We won’t let you go empty-handed. This is 500,000 Ghana cedis to be presented to Professor Seidu Al-Hassan. It’s a reward to the team for the good job you have done,” he stated.
The President also commended the university’s management and coaching staff for their efforts in developing young athletes.
He said UDS’s success underlined the role of university sports in bridging education with professional athletics, while also promoting cultural exchange and national pride.
Mr Mahama disclosed that the government would establish a School Sports Authority to manage competitions from the basic to the tertiary level.
“It’s going to have a separate budget, and it will hold constant competitions amongst universities and secondary schools so that we can identify talents early and bring them into the national teams,” he explained.
He added that sports and recreation were part of his government’s RESET agenda, which seeks to promote national unity, social inclusion, and youth employment.
According to him, the government is investing in sports infrastructure and talent development, with plans to build a standard sports stadium in every region to support training and competitions.
The President urged the UDS players to remain disciplined and committed to both education and sports. “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.
The Vice-Chancellor of UDS, Professor Seidu Al-Hassan, who led the delegation, thanked the President for his support to the university.
He recounted the team’s recent achievements, including being ranked Africa’s best university in the FISU Games, and revealed that the players adopted Mr Mahama’s “24-hour” philosophy in their preparations, turning it into a “24-hour training plan” that helped secure the win.
Professor Al-Hassan also expressed gratitude to the government for passing the University for Development Studies Act, 2025 (Act 1143) and appealed for more support to expand sports and academic facilities.
Mr Mahama encouraged the team to use their success to inspire others.
“The story of your victory can be turned from Tamale to the world stage. You have brought glory to Ghana and renewed faith in the power of young people, education, and sports to transform lives,” he said.
