Ummawebsite2025 
Umma University Hosts Spectacular Sports Day 2025
Umma University’s annual Sports Day transformed the campus into a vibrant arena of athletic excellence on March 15, 2025. The day-long event, themed “Unity Through Competition,” brought together over 1,500 students, faculty members, and alumni for what many described as the most successful sporting celebration in the university’s history.
The opening ceremony commenced at 8:00 AM at the newly renovated Umma Sports Complex, with Vice Chancellor Dr. Amina Hassan officially declaring the games open. In her address, Dr. Hassan emphasized the importance of physical activity in academic life and praised the university’s commitment to developing well-rounded graduates.
“Sports Day represents our belief that excellence extends beyond the classroom,” remarked Dr. Hassan. “The discipline, teamwork, and perseverance cultivated on these fields are the same qualities that will drive our students’ success in their professional lives.”
This year’s event featured an expanded program of 18 sporting disciplines, including traditional track and field events, team sports, and for the first time, adaptive sports for students with disabilities. The inclusion of para-athletics events represented the university’s growing commitment to accessibility and equal participation.
The track and field competitions drew particular attention, with fourth-year Engineering student Ibrahim Mwangi breaking the university’s 100-meter sprint record with a time of 10.32 seconds. The women’s 400-meter race saw equally impressive performances, with Fatima Osman from the School of Medicine claiming gold with a time of 54.87 seconds.
Team sports generated tremendous excitement throughout the day. The highly anticipated football final between the School of Business and the School of Computer Science ended in a dramatic penalty shootout, with Business emerging victorious 5-4 after a 2-2 draw in regular time. The volleyball tournament showcased exceptional talent, with the School of Islamic Studies women’s team dominating the competition without dropping a single set.
The newly introduced tug-of-war competition became an unexpected highlight, drawing massive crowds as faculty members joined students in this test of collective strength. The School of Agriculture’s combined team, nicknamed “The Cultivators,” pulled their way to victory against formidable opposition from the Engineering department.
Sports Day 2025 also featured significant technological innovations. The Athletics Department utilized electronic timing systems and performance analytics software for the first time, providing real-time results and statistics to spectators through the university’s mobile app. Drone footage captured aerial views of the competitions, displayed on large screens throughout the venue.
The event attracted notable alumni, including former national team athletes who returned to inspire current students. Olympic silver medalist and Umma graduate Hassan Omar conducted an impromptu masterclass for aspiring runners between events, sharing insights from his professional career.
Community engagement reached new heights this year, with local schools invited to participate in junior exhibition matches. Over 200 children from neighboring educational institutions experienced the university environment while showcasing their sporting talents.
Refreshment stations operated by student entrepreneurship clubs offered healthy food options and hydration throughout the day, with proceeds supporting the university’s sports scholarship fund. The initiative raised over 250,000 shillings, enough to support five full athletic scholarships for the coming academic year.
The closing ceremony featured a spectacular display of traditional dances performed by the university’s cultural troupe, followed by the awards presentation. The School of Business claimed the overall championship trophy with 87 points, narrowly defeating the School of Engineering with 82 points.
Director of Sports Mr. Jamal Kiprop expressed his satisfaction with the event’s success: “Sports Day 2025 exemplifies what we’ve been working toward—creating an inclusive sporting culture that celebrates excellence while building community. The record participation and enthusiasm we’ve witnessed today will carry forward into our regular sporting programs.”
As the sun set on Umma University’s Sports Day 2025, plans were already being discussed for next year’s event, with proposals to include more inter-university competitions and expand community participation further.
“Today we competed as different schools and departments,” concluded Student Sports Representative Aisha Mohammed during the closing remarks. “But we leave as one united Umma family, stronger and more connected through the spirit of sportsmanship.”
