Thousands of athletes arriving for the 2026 West African University Games at Obafemi Awolowo University will have to prove more than their sporting ability before they can compete.
They must first prove they are genuine students.
The Games begin at OAU, Ile-Ife, on October 2, bringing together student-athletes from universities across West Africa for competition in several sports.
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But before stepping onto the track, court or field, athletes are expected to pass an accreditation process designed to confirm their eligibility.
Competitors are required to provide documents showing their admission into their universities, current registration and payment of school fees.
The rules also place emphasis on the age of participants, with eligible athletes expected to fall within the approved 17- 25 age bracket.
That means sporting ability alone will not guarantee anyone a place in the competition.
The eligibility checks are intended to ensure that the West African University Games remain a competition for genuine student athletes rather than simply another platform for established sportsmen and women.
More than 3,500 athletes and officials are expected during the Games, while universities from several West African countries are set to participate.
With such a large field, verifying competitors could prove almost as important as organising the sporting events themselves.
The Games provide an opportunity for university athletes to compete beyond their campuses while also exposing emerging talents to opponents from other countries.
Some could eventually progress from university competition into national and international sport.
However, before any medals can be won, athletes must first satisfy the conditions that allow them to compete.
For competitors arriving at OAU with ambitions of representing their institutions and possibly leaving with medals, the first challenge will not come from an opponent.
It will come at accreditation.
At the 2026 West African University Games, the message is simple: prove you are a student before proving you are a champion.
