CENOU Unveils New Initiatives for University Sports and Cultural Season in Burkina Faso

OUAGADOUGOU — The National Center for University Works (CENOU) in Burkina Faso has introduced three significant new initiatives for the 2023-2024 sports, cultural, and leisure season. The announcement was made by the Director General of CENOU, Prof. Noël Thiombiano, during the season’s official launch event held on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at the university campus of Kossodo in Ouagadougou.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the upcoming season will feature the introduction of championships in men’s basketball and women’s volleyball, alongside a pioneering sports competition for disabled students. This competition will include speed racing for visually impaired participants and weight throwing for those with motor disabilities. Additionally, a general culture competition aimed at identifying and fostering students’ intellectual talents and knowledge will be launched.

The Secretary General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation (MERSI), Prof. Samuel Paré, emphasized the value of these activities in promoting the cultural, artistic, and sporting capabilities of students, with the ultimate goal of talent detection and promotion. He highlighted the importance of sports for physical and mental balance and described culture as fundamental to individual identity and societal cohesion.

Furthermore, Prof. Thiombiano announced that the 6th edition of the National Week of Arts, Culture, and Leisure 2024 (SENAC-UB 2024) will focus on the theme “sport and culture in a university environment: tools to combat drugs, drug addiction, and violence.” The launch event was celebrated with a 2 km cross race and an aerobics session, engaging both students and university staff in the festivities.