By Lesego Maaba – ulpublications@ul.ac.za
The University of Limpopo Staff Sport Association (ULSSA) recently hosted the highly anticipated 3rd Professor Mahlo Mokgalong Annual Staff Sports Games, bringing together staff from various departments and partner institutions for a day filled with competition, camaraderie, and a celebration of Prof Mokgalong’s significant contributions to UL and the broader community
Prof Mokgalong joined UL 54 years ago and has served in numerous roles — from Junior Researcher to Lecturer, Dean, and ultimately Vice-Chancellor and Principal. When he took office, the University was facing severe financial difficulties. Today, the institution is financially sound, administratively accountable, and academically flourishing.
Under Prof Mokgalong’s leadership, UL has achieved remarkable milestones, including:
- Conferred 605 doctoral and 5,281 Master’s degrees.
- Established the School of Medicine, a flagship institution for health sciences in Limpopo.
- Received unqualified audit opinions for eleven consecutive years, with the most recent two years free of any findings.
Victor Makgobela, ULSSA Chairperson, stated, “This is why we are honouring him through these games. He has made life-changing contributions to UL staff members and the surrounding communities. Since the inception of ULSSA, he has offered unwavering support, promoting peer networking while prioritising staff wellness and health.”
Participants included UL staff from various across departments, along with teams from the National University of Lesotho, the University of Eswatini, the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), SAPS, Polokwane Local Municipality, the Department of Public Works, UL Alumni and Convocation, and Limpopo Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements & Traditional Affairs, and the Department of Correctional Services.
The games featured a wide range of sporting codes: tennis, netball, football, volleyball, darts, supa pool, chess, aerobics, and athletics. Competitions were held across UL’s Oscar Mpetha Sport complex, New Cinema Hall, and the Recreational Hall. The day kicked off with a fun run that set the tone for the festivities.
Highlights of the results
- Football: UL clinched the trophy for the first time, defeating UL Alumni and Convocation 2–0 in a thrilling final.
- Netball: UL reigned supreme, ahead of Mankweng Hospital (2nd) and Glencore Operations (3rd).
- Volleyball: UL were crowned champions, followed by BIUST and the Department of Correctional Services.
- Darts: BIUST took top honours, with UL and Polokwane Municipality in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
- Supa Pool: UL proved unbeatable, taking gold ahead of SAPS and UL Alumni and Convocation.
- Chess (Open Team Challenge): UL emerged winners, while UL Alumni and Convocation Teams 2 and 1 took 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.
- Tennis: UL secured the title, with Polokwane Municipality and UL Alumni and Convocation finishing 2nd and 3rd, respectively.
- Aerobics (Team Challenge): UL came out on top, ahead of Polokwane Municipality (2nd) and UL Alumni and Convocation (3rd).
