Uganda aims to make the grade at Universiade

African nation says trip to 'vibrant' Chengdu will be learning experience

With the Chengdu FISU World University Games opening on Friday, Kenneth Mwambu, an Ugandan student-athlete was putting the finishing touches to his preparations for the badminton competition.

"With only a few days left until the tournament, we are focusing on addressing our errors while bolstering our strengths," the 23-year-old engineering student from Makerere University told Xinhua at a training facility in Kalerwe, a lower-income neighborhood in Uganda's capital, Kampala.

Mwambu is part of a seven-member badminton team and a delegation of 40 university students who will represent Uganda in various disciplines at the games.

Mwambu's journey to playing the sport he loves on the international stage is a testament to his perseverance, reflecting the numerous challenges that aspiring athletes in developing countries often encounter.

"As a child, I was frequently sick. My mother raised us, her three children, on her own," he said after a grueling training session.

Since 2016, when Mwambu began playing badminton in school, acquiring the necessary equipment has been a problem. Despite her modest income, his mother often assisted him with finances.

However, thanks to his determination and focus, Mwambu was called up to the national team in 2021, opening doors to major international tournaments such as the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, and the 2023 African Games in Ghana.

Having also trained in India, Mwambu was eagerly anticipating his trip to Chengdu, the capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province.

"Based on the images and magazines I've seen, I am looking forward to a vibrant, beautifully decorated city. The Chinese are known for their excellent decoration skills, which creates an energizing atmosphere that heightens my motivation," the young athlete said.

Once the games commence, Mwambu anticipates intense competition from his opponents.

"My goal is to perform to my best. I'm not expecting any easy matches, as I know the tournament will be filled with skilled players. My primary focus is advancing past the initial rounds, proceeding as far as my abilities can take me," he explained.

"I have been practicing intensely to ensure the quality of my shots is high and that I can compete effectively."

A short distance from Mwambu's training ground is Ntinda, where Emmanuel Kiwanuka, a multimedia student, was refining his swimming stroke ahead of the Chengdu trip. Kiwanuka has trained rigorously for the games.

"I spend six days a week practicing, with two sessions each day, resting only on Sundays. My week is packed with activities," he said.

"Currently, I'm focusing on improving my personal best times, and breaking my own records would be a significant achievement," he added, expressing excitement about his upcoming trip to Chengdu and the opportunity to meet athletes from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Patrick Sebuliba, deputy head of the Ugandan delegation to the games, lauded China for its exemplary preparations and noted the smooth communication between the organizers and different countries and regions.

Sebuliba commended China's consistent efforts to develop its sports industry, citing well-equipped facilities and academies that train young athletes to become professionals.

"From what I've seen in videos and pictures, the Chengdu games promise to be unforgettable," Sebuliba said.

"Despite the recurring challenges we face, such as insufficient training grounds and lack of equipment, our team is prepared to give an impressive performance when the games start in Chengdu," he added.

Freddieh Rellys Kirabo, coach of the badminton team, believes the experience in Chengdu will be educational.

"As a team, a coach, and a country, we're going to learn a lot," he said. "I'm confident we will return better."

Xinhua