Victor Lawin on the Benin University Games 2024 : “Under the seal of maturity”

(The draw planned for this 08 October)

The biggest university sporting event in Benin arrives in Djougou. eh yes! The Benin University Games (YUM) 2024 will be held in the city of Kpétoni du 08 at 15 November 2024. Everything is ready and only details remain to be resolved to bring exceptional games to the students and the population of Djougou, let Victor Lawin know. In an exclusive interview he gave to Gaskiyani info, the Director General of the Beninese Office of School and University Sports (OBSU), lifted the veil on the main points of this 11th edition of the JUB. An edition which he believes will reflect the organizational maturity in terms of sporting events in Benin.

It is under the seal of maturity and commitment to do better that Victor Lawin places this National phase of the 11th University Games of Benin.

JUB Djougou, a first in Northern Benin…

Of 08 at 15 November, the city of Djougou will vibrate to the rhythms of the five (05) disciplines selected for publishing 2024 university games of Benin. “We are going to offer the entire population of the North and all of Benin a spectacle. La SRTB (ex-ORTB) will be at the event, with broadcasts. “We are in discussions to retain the various meetings which will be broadcast live on the SRTB” announces Victor Lawin. Still, several meetings will be broadcast on the SRTB depending on the schedule that will be established and the available slots since “the formal agreement has been obtained,” he confided.. Speaking of the sporting disciplines at stake. “We are not closed to OBSSU. Currently five (05) sports disciplines such as football, The members of the executive committee of the Union Sportive du Borgou, Handball, athletics and volleyball compete. As you know, who hugs too much and hugs badly, so we have to go step by step” believes DG OBSSU. As well, let us remember, he continues, “disciplines which are practiced in universities at the same time, those that are practiced at school level. So if there is indeed one with international or even national influence but is not practiced in universities, agree that we will have fewer athletes and fewer performance items that we can sell. Policy for the choice of disciplines should come from practice at the level of those disciplines. “So we want to promote and not encourage doing”.  One month before the start of the competition, the different teams will be determined on their fate. So, Tuesday 08 October, the draw will be made to allow each team to know its group and for the technical commission to develop the meeting schedules.

The innovations of 2024

If in the past, only students (men) had the right to the chapter, this edition offers girls the opportunity to express their talents on the play areas. The competition takes place, so, both for boys and girls. “Gender is a fundamental element for Minister Benoît Dato and we took it greatly into account” informs Victor Lawin. The other innovation is linked to the digitalization of registrations. To be qualified, you must scan the student's registration certificate and the BAC transcript or the BAC certificate. “For this edition, it is an approach which firstly allows the heads of education departments in university entities to be held accountable” informs Victor Lawin. " Better, there is a limit, of athletes, required by discipline. As soon as you exceed the required number, the system automatically rejects any other registration,” he explained..

As in Avrankou…

At the Adjohoun national school championships, OBSSU created a sensation with the games village. The experience will be repeated in Djougou announces DG OBSSU. As in Avrankou, artist shows are planned with local talents but also stars of the moment without forgetting the fair of local products. It’s a way to de-stress athletes but also and above all to promote cultural wealth and local crafts.. Daily, the show will still be there, we understand.

What to say about logistics and security ?

In terms of hotels and accommodation, everything is ready. 14 hotels are held on 16 at the start taking into account the access routes. “The distribution of delegations has also been completed,” said the general director of OBSSU.. Same for the transport of delegations from different localities of the country to Djougou. Everything is done reassures Victor Lawin who also certified that security will be essential. The Borgou Departmental Security Directorate has been contacted and is working hard to ensure the peace of mind of the delegations at the accommodation and competition sites..

The call from DG OBSSU

Based on the principle that without athletes there is no competition, DG OBSSU welcomes the enthusiasm of the athletes and school leaders who participate in the games. First, he expects that the fair play which reigned during the departmental phases will be in place. To this end Victor Lawin invites athletes to give the best of themselves. “It’s an opportunity for each athlete to say to themselves I must do everything possible to be the best,” he tells them.. Since the North, and particularly the city of Djougou is hosting the Benin University Games for the first time, enthusiasm must not be lacking. On that, Victor Lawin asks Djougou executives to mobilize and mobilize the entire population to fill the stadium during the various meetings in order to encourage the athletes.

Arnaud ACAKPO (Coll)

List of some qualified teams

Football Men : Efes Sapientia Parakou ; Eat Lokossa ; Fllac; Uatm Gasa Cotonou, WITH Adjarra; Esse Cotonou.

Football Dames : Flash Up ; Fllac ; Irgib Africa ; Injection.

Basketball Men : Flash Up ; Eat Lokossa ; Fashs; Hecm Cotonou ; Injection ; WITH Adjarra.

Basketball Dames : Flash Up ; Eat Lokossa ; Fashs ; Injection ; Efes Sapientia Parakou ; Ifri.

Handball Men : Flash Up ; Eat Lokossa ; Fashs ; Esse Cotonou ; Injection ; Efes Sapientia Parakou.

Handball Dames : Flash Up ; Eat Lokossa ; Fashs ; Esse Cotonou; Injection ; Fllac.

Volleyball Men : Flash ; Eat Lokossa ; Phasing ; Injection ; Fdsp Up ; Fast.

Volleyball Dames : Flash ; Phasing ; Injection ; Fllac.