FENASU Maps out strategy for University Sports

Information seminar on the new format of CHAZU and FINAJU

Dschang,UDs/SIC-26/11/24. A two-day information seminar on the new format of the Zonal University Championships (CHAZU) and the National Finals of the University Games (FINAJU) was held by the National Federation of University Sports (FENASU) at the Prof. Gibering Bol Alima Center on Campus A of the University of Dschang (UDs). Members of the FENASU National Executive Board, promoters of Higher Private Institutes of Learning, and sport directors of public and private universities from the West and NorthWest zones received an overview of the innovation for the practice of physical and sporting activities. 

This strategic seminar was chaired by Professor Roger Tsafack Nanfosso, President of the National Executive Board of FENASU, with the aim to enhance, organize and guarantee the success of university sports. The President of FENASU outlined the history of Physical and Sportings Activities (APS) in an academic setting in his introductory remarks and emphasized how they have significantly grown since their institution in 1961. This growth illustrates the increasing interest in university sport, which had 632 competitors in 1998 and over 4,000 at the 2024 University Games. Nevertheless, this expansion comes with financial and logistical difficulties, necessitating a thorough examination of the organizational structure. « This marks the beginning of a new sporting era, » says Prof. Roger Tsafack Nanfosso.

In light of this, a novel two-phase format was chosen:

Every two years, the Zonal University Championships (CHAZU) are to be held as a qualifying stage.

The top universities from the CHAZU come together for the National Finals of the University Games (FINAJU).

The purpose of the seminar was therefore to educate stakeholders on the new framework’s requirements for membership, participation, and general organization of the competition. Additionally, Professor Tsafack Nanfosso emphasized the importance of FENASU projecting the core values of innovation, transformation, adaptation, and transition. He highlighted the format, modalities, and terms of participation as well as membership, among other things, and underlined the fact that this new sporting phase is less expensive, flexible, and inclusive.

The President of FENASU, reaffirmed that the goal of National Executive Board was to establish the technical and administrative foundation of CHAZU and FINAJU, decide on the procedures for joining FENASU, and establish competition rules that align with university academic calendars. The President underscored that only 22 of the nation’s 535 universities have participated in the university games, thus the necessity to expand the number of participating institutions in order to add more glitz, and competition. With an updated model, FENASU hopes to bring in efficient, sustainable, and inclusive university athletics that meet the demands of both the academic community and the next generation.

 Presentations were later made on the practise of APS in the university milieu, FENASU’s current challenges and perspectives, the new format of university sports competitions and technical modalities, modalities of participation in FENASU activities and the seminar ended with an intensive discussion between FENASU and non-members institutions./