University of Ghana wins UPAC for the Fourth Year Running

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Written by ggadzekpo 04 Jul Category:

Following on their track record in the history of the Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges (UPAC) Championship, the University of Ghana Male Basketball Team on Saturday, 13th April, 2019 once again clinched the title for the fourth year running.

Participating Teams

The UPAC finals came off from Friday, 12th to Saturday, 13th April with eight (8) institutions competing for the trophy. UG was drawn in Group A with Takoradi Technical University, Koforidua Technical University and Catholic University College.

Two time champions and arch rivals of UG in this competition, Accra Technical University (ATU) were in Group B with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Marshalls University College and Radford University College.

A Feat never achieved in this Championship

Since the inception of the UPAC Championship, UG has won the trophy four times in a row overtaking their archrivals ATU who won the first two editions.

The Director of Sports at UG, Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu attributed the success of UG Male Basketball Team to the policies and strategies of the Sports Directorate. He added that the composition of the team over the period of its success keeps changing yet the results keeps getting better and the team continues to make history.

UG the Invincibles of UPAC

UG once again began their title defense making a strong statement of intent and proved their invincibility in the UPAC championship crushing Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration 71-2 in the qualifying rounds.

UG Navigates Group Stage

The difficult test in the group stage was Takoradi Technical University who were bent on ending UG’s impressive winning streak. However, they failed to do so losing 44-42. The toughest match of the championship, a match labelled the finals before the finals was UG coming up against their arch rivals and two-time champions of the championship Accra Technical University.

UG Humbles Archrivals in Semis

UG led by the end of the 2nd quarter 26-20. ATU came in strongly in the 3rd and 4th quarters making the vociferous fans of UG go through periods of unease. The tactical ingenuity from the UG bench led by Dr. Samori Camara and the character and patience from the players to listen to the Coach made the difference. UG won the match at the last second of the game winning 51-50 to make the finals.

UG shows Class in Finals

UG showed mastery and experience in the UPAC finals beating Takoradi Technical University 37-32 to win the competition for the fourth time consecutively.

Emmanuel Wolff wins MVP Award

Emmanuel Wolff of UG was awarded the Most Valuable Player in the 2019 UPAC Championship. Wolff was instrumental in helping the team win the trophy. He also made history as the only tertiary player to win the UPAC trophy four times consecutively. The team retired his number 5 jersey as he completes his undergraduate studies. Wolff has won 8 major trophies during his four years study at UG (4 UPAC trophies, 2 GUSA trophies, 1 Mini GUSA trophy and 1 FASU trophy).

“It feels so amazing to go four years undefeated in all competitive matches and win the MVP in my final year. I dedicate this award to my team mates and Coaches over the period for the sacrifice and pain we went through to achieve this feat.”

Coach Samori Crowned Coach of the Year

Dr. Samori Camara, UG Male Basketball Coach received the Best Coach of the Year award. He guided UG to win its 3rd and 4th UPAC trophies in four years. Dr. Camara who assisted Meme Falconer to win the 1st and 2nd UPAC trophies in 2016 and 2107 was in buoyant mode after the finals.

“The win was great. UG male basketball team have the legendary status. The boys played hard, they had the discipline from the start in September. It was not easy we came back twice from behind in this competition but we were resilient. The lads are indeed guerrillas.”

The team has not lost a competitive match since 2016, winning in 9 major championships in Ghana and Africa.

Prizes

UG received a trophy, cash prize of Three Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢3,000.00), medals, certificates, and souvenirs from sponsors.

Kudos UG Team. You make us proud!!

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