Preparations for the 2026 West African Universities Games (WAUG) gathered momentum as the Local Organising Committee (LOC) officially unveiled the tournament’s logo and mascot at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, marking another significant milestone ahead of the regional sporting festival.
Sports247 reports that the unveiling signals the start of the final countdown to the Games, which are scheduled to take place from October 2 to 12, 2026, and will bring together student-athletes from universities across West Africa in a celebration of sporting excellence, friendship and regional integration.
One of the major highlights of the event was the announcement that both the official logo and mascot were selected through a West Africa-wide student design competition, underscoring the organisers’ commitment to creativity and youth participation.
According to the organisers, the winning logo was designed by a student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), while the official mascot was created by a student of the host institution, Obafemi Awolowo University.
The initiative provided students across the region with an opportunity to contribute directly to the identity of one of West Africa’s biggest university sporting events.
In another key development, the Local Organising Committee announced the commencement of volunteer registration for students of Obafemi Awolowo University.
The volunteer programme is expected to provide participants with practical experience in sports event management, hospitality, logistics, leadership and teamwork while supporting the successful delivery of the Games.
Organisers believe the competition will extend beyond medals and trophies by fostering cultural exchange, unity and lasting friendships among young people from different countries across the sub-region.
With less than two months to the opening ceremony, preparations are gathering pace as committees continue work on logistics, facilities and operational plans to ensure a successful championship.
The 2026 WAUG is expected to showcase some of West Africa’s finest university athletes while providing a platform for emerging sporting talents to compete at an international level.
As excitement continues to build, the unveiling of the logo and mascot represents more than just a branding exercise—it symbolizes the spirit, creativity and shared vision that will define the Games when Ile-Ife welcomes the region’s brightest student-athletes this October.
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