Exactly a week ago, Rivers State University, being the only University from the State to send delegates for the 11th All-Africa University Games, albeit a rather small number of delegates, returned home with two medals, both won in Chess.

The All Africa University Games, also known as FASU Games, which was co-hosted by the University of Lagos and Lagos State University began on Friday, September 20, 2024, and closed its curtains on Sunday, September 29, 2024.

The prestigious event was competed by students from African Universities, with this year’s event having no fewer than 32 Universities in attendance. The American University in Cairo were crowned Champions after winning 46 Gold medals, with the co-hosts Lagos State University and University of Lagos finishing second and third, with 28 and 25 Gold medals, respectively. Rivers State University finished 25th.

Chess virtuosos Akomas Emmanuel and Prosper Fiitoh led the university’s medal charge. Emmanuel, a 400-level Business Management student, won gold on board four of the long-time control, accumulating the most points. Fiitoh, a 400-level Marine Engineering student, secured bronze on board two.

Speaking after his impressive victory, Akomas Emmanuel expressed his gratitude and hunger to achieve more.

“I felt glad and eager to do more,” he said.

In athletics, Emmanuel Solomon, a long-distance runner, finished seventh in the Men’s 1500m event, four places shy of the podium.

The 100-level student of Petrochemical Engineering got off the blocks too much pace for the distance and lost his place in the lead after the first lap. Kings who appeared to have a problem with his right thighs, holding it for the entirety of the race, managed to make it passed the finish line without withdrawing.

Rivers State University would look to take lessons from their continental outing.