President John Dramani Mahama has honored the University for Development Studies (UDS) with a GH¢500,000 prize following their historic triumph at the 2025 FISU World University Games.

This unprecedented achievement marks the first time an African university has claimed the prestigious World University Football Cup. The victorious UDS team received a warm welcome at the Presidency, where President Mahama and government officials gathered to celebrate the team’s outstanding success.

UDS secured the title by defeating the defending champions, Paulista University of Brazil, 2-1 in extra time a thrilling finale that captured the attention of sports fans across the continent.

The victory sent a powerful message about the potential of African universities to excel on the global sports stage. The win has sparked widespread national celebrations and was hailed as a major boost for youth development in sports throughout Ghana.

It has already become a source of inspiration for young athletes, encouraging them to pursue excellence both academically and athletically. Many experts and sports advocates see UDS’s success as validation of Ghana’s growing capacity to nurture world-class talent.