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Lessons from the Rhine-Ruhr FISU World University Games
The Ugandan delegation returned from this year’s Rhine-Ruhr FISU World University Games with a mix of disappointment and valuable insights. For the first time, Uganda did not secure any medals at the event, which brought together over 8,000 athletes from 104 countries. Despite the lack of podium finishes, the experience offered critical learning opportunities for the athletes and officials involved.
Seth Akampa, the reigning world cross-country gold medalist and team captain, was one of the key hopes for Uganda in the competition. However, he fell short in the 10,000m race, failing to meet expectations. As he prepares to graduate from Bishop Stuart University, Akampa is now looking ahead to his career beyond university sports. He shared his ambitions: “I have many goals to accomplish in this sport in the coming period. I want to be the face of athletics in the greater western region of Ankole, Tooro, Rwenzori, and Kigezi.” His aim is to prove that these regions can produce top-tier athletes before he retires.
Akampa acknowledged that he feels he has started participating in higher-level international competitions later than he would like. “I will go back home to re-strategize with my coach, Gordon Ahimbisibwe, to discuss my future in the sport,” he said. While he views the experience in Germany as a setback, he remains optimistic. “I’m glad I ran and finished. I’ll draw lessons from it for my future workouts and races.”
Another standout performer was badminton player Fadhila Shamika, who made history by becoming the first African player to reach the round of 16 at this level. Her achievement highlights the growing potential of Ugandan athletes on the global stage. Shamika expressed her determination to elevate African and Ugandan badminton. “My goal is to elevate African and Ugandan badminton to the highest level and show that we can compete with the best players. I really feel I’m on the right track, and I’m grateful for the opportunity,” she stated.
Other athletes also emphasized the importance of preparation and hard work. Edreen Tenywa, an 800m runner, noted, “These are the junior Olympics, and only through good preparation and hard work can one succeed.” Bridget Mbwali echoed similar sentiments, saying, “I learned big lessons. We have to work harder.”
Mercy Charity Atiang, a sprinter, felt her preparations were adequate but admitted she struggled to keep up with the front runners. “I performed my best, but I need to improve my tactics,” she reflected. These experiences have prompted the Uganda University Sports Association (AUUS) to reassess their training and selection strategies for future events.
The AUUS administration recognized that Uganda has not secured any medals since 2003, highlighting the need for a more competitive approach. Joseph Ssebuliba, a representative from the association, pointed out that the competition level this time was significantly higher compared to the post-COVID period. “Many of our competitors this time were in their first years, which resulted in a lot of inexperience, despite them being the best back home and in East Africa.”
Ssebuliba suggested that the traditional method of selecting athletes based on East African competition may no longer be sufficient. “We must prepare better for the 2027 competition. We need to involve our athletes in a series of trials. Fortunately, the All-Africa University Games are coming up in Egypt, which will provide an excellent opportunity to test our athletes,” he added.
Looking ahead, the AUUS plans to organize a three-month residential training camp before the next Games, despite financial challenges. “We are grateful for what some of our athletes achieved, and we have learned from this championship,” Ssebuliba concluded. The experience at the Rhine-Ruhr Games serves as a crucial stepping stone for Uganda’s future participation in international university sports.
