In an interaction with the Association of Uganda University Sports president, who is also the FISU Vice President, Peninah Kabenge, discussed her thoughts on the Chengdu FISU games, how Uganda can tap into the FISU opportunities, and the future of Uganda University sports.

The 31st FISU World University games, which began on Friday 28 July, ended today 8 August in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, attracted 6,500 student-athletes from 113 countries.

Team Uganda sent a contingent of 29 student-athletes, to compete in four disciplines (Swimming, Athletics, Badminton, and Tennis) and 13 officials.

Uganda won only two medals (gold and silver) by Yeko Dismas in the men’s 10,000m and Aciru Knight in the women’s 800m.

Question: What is your overview of Uganda’s performance at the Chengdu FISU World University games?

Answer: I think as Uganda we have done well. Currently, we are the 29th in the world and second in Africa behind South Africa.

I had the opportunity to watch our badminton team and they competed but the lucky teams won. They also played their hearts out.

Then the 4x400m relay team also did well and some athletes missed out narrowly. Generally, am happy with our performance.

Question: Do you think summoning a smaller number of athletes affected Uganda’s chances of winning more medals?

Answer: In the previous editions, we were taking many numbers in athletics and the female basketball team.

Unfortunately, for this edition, we missed out on taking the basketball deadline because we did not have the 5,000 euros to pay as a guarantee. 

But the basketball team (ladies) was doing well and improving consistently. If you look at the Current Gazelles team that was in Rwanda for the women’s Afro basket finals, seven of them competed at the previous FISU world university games namely, Claire Lamunu, Brenda Ekone, and Flavia Oketcho you name it.

We thought we could do the same for other disciplines but resources were not enough. 

Question: Out of the 29 student-athletes that represented Uganda, 30% of them were women, what do you make of their performance?

Answer: I know that female athletes were less but I do not think there was any big difference between them and their male counterparts in terms of performance.

I also think that Aciru Knight did better than other female athletes that have competed at the universiade games before. 

The likes of Halima Nakayi & Winnie Nanyondo used to compete but finish in the semifinals. Look what they have become. Sometimes, it is not about winning, exposure is important too.

Question: As Uganda, where do we need to improve?

Answer: The major challenge is limited funds, if we had funds in time, the team could have had residential training, better feeding, and good equipment. If we can improve on that, then we can compete.

Question: What is the plan for the Ugandan medalists at the Chengdu games?

Answer: As University sports, we will present them to the government. In terms of receiving stipends, we have been marginalized.

We have won several medals on the world stage but our student-athletes have not been rewarded. With the State Minister of Sports Hon, Peter Ogwang, and NCS General Secretary, Patrick Ogwel attending the Chengdu FISU games, I know they will push for it.

Question: Sports and education have failed to co-exist in Uganda and it is affecting student-athletes, as AUUS, how are you going to address this issue?

Answer: It is not just university sports that are affected by this issue, but they are wide except for developed countries that have systems for dual careers, to pursue sports as a career at a high level and education at a high level.

To have that dual career, we need to change several things in Uganda, especially in the government institutions. 

You find that athletes are told to decide whether to do sports or school but not both.

But I discussed with Honorable Peter Ogwang and told him that we need sports policies at Universities to allow students to have enough time for training and enough time for studying.

Question: What is the future of Uganda University sports?

Answers: Recently, University sports was threatened by people who should be advocating for it. We had been removed from the list of federations under the National Council of Sports. 

I took it as being ignorant because the world over, governments, even the Olympics, University sports are viewed as an independent federation.

During our discussion with Peter Ogwang at the Chengdu games, he realized the importance of university sports and he said he will push for university facilities so that Uganda can host such multi-sport events shortly.

So am glad that he & Patrick Ogwel were there to witness that.

Question: As a high-profile executive member for FISU, how can Uganda tap into FISU opportunities?

Answer: Since I joined FISU as an executive in 2007 Uganda has benefited the most from these opportunities. 

I remember, prior to the FASU games in 2007 that Uganda hosted, the Chinese Minister of Sports then sent us equipment, balls, kits for the games.

When it comes to scholarships, Uganda has taken advantage of them more than any other African countries.

Currently, Uganda has a student representative on the FISU committee, Lakisa Mercy. This year, our student was chosen for a scholarship in Korea, Henry Nsekuya to do a masters in Sports Management.

In China, we have three students studying masters.

Question: Lastly, what can Uganda learn from the Chengdu FISU Games?

Answer: We have so many lessons to learn from a country like China. But even before, we were trying to emulate some of the practices that are within our means.

First of all, Chinese Government comes in big time supporting the university sports. Us in Uganda, we have individual efforts using university resources but not many funds available.

Chengdu city was not like this before but because of hosting the world university games, it was developed to a high standard. That is why the country is always bidding for big events so that cities grab those opportunities and raise their status.

Secondly, cities in China are always competing with each other, Chengdu wants to better than Habin or Beijing or Shanghai. That competition also compliments the efforts. 

I believe we can host such games if there is good vision, commitment and good will from the government.