Athletes and staff at the University of the Western Cape are flying the institution’s flag high in China at the International University of Sports Federation World University Games (FISU).

Three students, two of whom are participating, with one working as a media officer, and three staff members, recently jetted off to Chengdu. The contingent forms part of the University Sport South Africa’s Team South Africa.

The FISU World University Games takes place every two years and includes 15 compulsory sports and encourages student athletes from around the world to combine high-performing sports and intellectual pursuits. Some of the sporting codes include archery, athletics, basketball, table tennis, tennis, swimming and fencing.

This is the first overseas trip for 24-year-old UWC athlete Gianno Peddy. The games represent an opportunity to showcase years of hard work and dedication for the 100m and 200m sprinter.

“It’s a big experience for me. My goal is the Olympics, and I believe this is a stepping stone,’’ said Peddy (pictured left).

The pressure and excitement of performing at an international level is shared with 25-year-old UWC basketball player Nkosinathi Chibi: This will put my name on the international stage to represent my country and to wear the green and gold.’’ 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Chengdu World Student Games were placed on hold for two years. It kicked off again at the end of July and will run until 10 August 2023.

UWC Director of Sport, Mandla Gagayi, who led the last student games in 2019 in Italy, said the preparation and build-up to the games are grueling. South Africa boasted winning 18 medals that year.

“During the two years, they only get to finalise teams. Six months before the competition, you have one year - six months to select teams and six months to confirm who will be attending. There are several heartbreaks as many are told a few months before that they have not made the team,’’ said Gagayi.

Ahead of the send-off, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Student Development and Support, Professor Matete Madiba, expressed excitement about students and staff participating and engaging with international counterparts. She called on the contingent to make the university proud.

“At UWC, great things are happening, and to say… we are here, and we are UWC. We want the world to know that we are performing at an international level,’’ said Prof Madiba.
 

Images courtesy UWC Sport