On August 17, 2023, Dr. Nii Korley Kortei, Acting Dean of the School of Sports and Exercise Medicine (SSEM), led a delegation from the School of Sports and Exercise Medicine UHAS, comprising faculty, Level 100 and Level 300 students on a study tour in Accra. The purpose of the excursion was to foster closer ties between academia and the sports industry.
Their first stop was the Fitness 1 Gym located at One Airport Square. Mr. Alpha-Abbey Odani, the gym manager, received the delegation and discussed with them plans to collaborate with UHAS to offer certificate and diploma courses in fitness coaching and gym instructing. Mr. Odani elaborated further that, the introduction of these courses would help in the recognition of fitness coaches and gym instructors in academia.
He shared with the students, insights on the importance of being passionate about one’s work as a fitness coach or gym instructor, rather than focusing solely on money. He stressed discipline and client recommendations as crucial in the industry. After the discussion, the students toured the gym, learning about equipment operation and engaging in a Q&A session. The students expressed gratitude for Mr. Odani's insights.
Next, the group visited Matrix Health and Fitness Club at Legon City Mall. Gym instructor, Mr. Mohammed, guided them through the usage of equipment such as seated dip, back roll machine, thigh flip, low roll, dip/chin assist, and many more. Miss Natasha Addai, a certified swimming and triathlon coach and former national swimmer, spoke to the Level 300 students about her coaching journey, with emphasis on determination and hard work.
Next, the delegation visited Cleopatra Nsiah Nketiah, Chief Executive Officer of Rich City Football Club. The crux of the meeting was to solidify a partnership that transcends academia and extends into the sports industry. They presented the hardcopy of their contractual agreement, signaling the intent to foster a transformative relationship. Prof. Omotayo, a visiting professor at SSEM, outlined the University’s dedication to cultivating an ecosystem where theoretical knowledge seamlessly intertwines with practical industry insights. “The synergy we create today,” he emphasized, “will reverberate through the corridors of education and onto the fields of athletic prowess.”
With a lot of excitement, Miss Cleopatra Nsiah Nketiah shared similar belief in the positive impact of the partnership, saying, “By bridging the chasm between academia and the sports industry, we don’t just shape careers, we sculpt future leaders of the sports world.”
The partnership is not just about working together; it represents growth. UHAS students can gain practical learning experiences outside of the classroom. Similarly, Rich City Football Club expressed hope that their on-field performance will improve with the knowledge gained from academics.
The tour ended at Besthand Therapy Clinic at Spintex, where Dr. Priscilla Botwe educated the students on physical therapy, spine therapy, medical massage, and nutrition. She also demonstrated massages used during injury rehabilitation.