Who runs Celtel Africa Challenge at the university?

Celtel Africa Challenge is run by the faculty and staff at the university.  The Vice Chancellor (or designee) appoints two people to administer the programme for the university:

Celtel Africa Challenge Liaison

The Celtel Africa Challenge Liaison, generally a staff member in student affairs (student union, student activities, residential life) or in academic affairs/honors programme, is the primary liaison between the university and the Celtel Africa Challenge office.

The Celtel Africa Challenge Liaison can undertake the responsibilities of the Celtel Africa Challenge Coach as well, but in general, the Celtel Africa Challenge Liaison maintains an administrative perspective. The responsibilities include:

• Attending a Celtel Africa Challenge training session (travel, double-occupancy housing and meals are provided).
• Publicizing the Celtel Africa Challenge programme at the university.
• Recruiting students to try out for the Celtel Africa Challenge team.
• Administering the Celtel Africa Challenge student tryout tests.
• Coordinating all details of the Celtel Africa Challenge programme for the university.
• Completing the Celtel Africa Challenge Championship team registration and qualification materials.
• Facilitating the logistical details of player eligibility and team travel for the Celtel Africa Challenge Qualifying Tournament and Championship Festival.
• Helping to develop a long-term Celtel Africa Challenge programme at the university.
• Note that the Celtel Africa Challenge Liaison does not attend the Celtel Africa Challenge Qualifying Tournament or Championship Festival unless he or she is selected as a volunteer.

Celtel Africa Challenge Coach

The Celtel Africa Challenge Coach is either a faculty member or an institutional staff member.  While the Celtel Africa Challenge Coach and the Celtel Africa Challenge Liaison responsibilities can be performed by the same person, having a separate person responsible for the administrative aspects of the campus programme can free the Coach to focus on the players and the game.  The Coach’s responsibilities include:

• Attending a Celtel Africa Challenge training session (travel, double-occupancy housing and meals are provided).
• Helping the CAC Liaison recruit students to try out for the Celtel Africa Challenge team.
• Helping the CAC Liaison administer the Celtel Africa Challenge student tryout tests.
• Selecting 12-20 players who will join the Celtel Africa Challenge club practice together at the university before the final Celtel Africa Challenge Scholars Team is chosen.
• Preparing materials for and running team practice sessions.
• Teaching players the rules of the game and mentoring them in mastering game strategies.
• Selecting the Celtel Africa Challenge Scholars team of four players (three players plus one alternate).
• Working with the CAC Liaison to handle the administrative details for the team’s participation at the Celtel Africa Challenge Qualifying Tournament and Championship Festival.
• Traveling with the team to the Celtel Africa Challenge Qualifying Tournament and Championship Festival and serving as their chaperone during the entire trip.
• Helping recruit and train volunteers for the Celtel Africa Challenge programme at the university.
• Helping to develop a long-term Celtel Africa Challenge programme at the university.

How are students recruited?

Celtel Africa Challenge provides promotion and publicity materials to the universities for their use in recruiting students.  It is recommended that the promotion period be one week and that there be announcements of the programme made in classes throughout the week.  Students are asked to sign-up in advance for a tryout test.  Two tryout test sessions should be scheduled, both at times when it is convenient for students to attend.  Participation is limited to students in an undergraduate curriculum.  No Masters or Doctoral students may compete.

How are student tryouts conducted?

Celtel Africa Challenge provides tests to be administered during the tryouts. They are 30 question tests covering a variety of content areas that will be featured in the games.  The test must be administered in strict compliance with proscribed security rules.  Each test period is 45 minutes.  At the end of the tryout test, each student's test is scored by the designated faculty or staff member.  Students are then notified of their qualification to join the Celtel Africa Challenge Scholars Club.

What is the Celtel Africa Challenge Scholars Club?

The club members are selected by the liaison and/or the coach.  It is recommended that 12-20 students be chosen from among those who scored well and demonstrated diverse knowledge on the tryout test.  The club members must make a commitment to meet at least 2 times per week to learn the game and conduct practice drills.  Club meetings should be scheduled during times when classes are not in session. 

How is the Celtel Africa Challenge Scholars Team selected?

The coach chooses the four students (three players plus one alternate) who will comprise the university's Celtel Africa Challenge Scholars Team.  The team is selected on the basis of talent, enthusiasm and knowledge.  It is important to select a team with diverse knowledge and strong, positive team spirit.  Additional considerations will be presented to the coaches at the scheduled training session.

Other FAQ pages are:

Programme FAQ
Questions FAQ
Championship Festival FAQ
Qualifying Tournaments FAQ