Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games recently invited Aupal Emmanuel, a 23-year-old FISU Student Ambassador for Uganda representing the Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS) and the current Student Representative of the Federation of Africa University Sports (FASU), to share his unforgettable journey to realising dreams, vividly epitomizing the resplendent spirit intrinsic to the FISU Games.
Aupal Emmanuel graduated in May 2022 with a bachelor’s degree of Information Systems and Technology from Makerere University. He has represented Uganda at the online 2021 and 2022 FISU Volunteer Leaders Academies. “I was privileged to have taken part in the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games, the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games,” he said excitedly.
Everything begins with that short video.
The journey to realising his dreams come true at the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games didn’t start this year but has been a long journey that started in 2021. In November 2021, the Chengdu 2021 Official Website and Social Media team started a challenge called the #Usportchallenge. It was a short video contest where participants from across the world were required to upload short videos of themselves involved in a workout session or doing any sporting exercise.
He was among the 52,429 people who uploaded videos in this contest and was also the only Ugandan and African in this challenge. The 12-second workout video of him he submitted garnered 134,101 votes and received many encouraging comments. “I put in hard work to share my voting link to gather as many votes as I possibly could as the winners of the challenge were to be awarded an official honorary title and medal as well as tickets to the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games.”
Unfortunately, he wasn’t one of the winners. However, the challenge opened for him so many doors of opportunities. The Official Website and Social Media team of the Chengdu 2021 FISU Games noticed him and turned his story into an article. Then, he was connected to a network, a family, and a team that will forever be part of his for a lifetime.
Before participating in the challenge, he was already engaging with the Chengdu 2021 Media Team virtually via Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, who told him about the nice things to expect in Chengdu, the pandas, the weather, and the city itself.
What is a world without strangers?
He still remembered the moment when he received birthday wishes from the Media Team on 31 December 2021 – “Happy birthday Aupal! Wishing you all the best!” “I didn’t know that in the world out there, there could be a stranger who cares and thinks about you. I ever since maintained communication with the whole team till date,” he added.
Fast forward, here comes 2023, the year for the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games. He always hoped that one day he would travel to the Games. However, even until June 2023, he hasn’t been able to raise any money towards the goal.
The Chengdu 2021 Media Team helped him explore numerous options and advised him to launch an online fundraising campaign. Thus, on 6 July 2023, he created a fundraising campaign and shared the link with the team. “Four days later, on 10 July, they informed me that an anonymous donor had offered to help me on realising my dreams. Never had I been excited in my life like at the point when I was reading this. It gave me tears of joy. My Dream to the World University Games had been reborn.”
With the assistance of the Chengdu 2021 Media Team, he was able to connect with the donor. While the process wasn’t without challenges, the result was positive. Immediately after received the funds, he booked his ticket. “I had to look for the cheapest ticket available, so as I could use the balance to cover my accommodation while in Chengdu. Luckily, I got a ticket before the fares had gone up.”
Chengdu’s journey to the FISU Games unfolded.
On 24 July 2023, he started his journey to Chengdu, China from Entebbe and finally arrived on 25 July 2023 at 11:10 am. Upon his arrival, he was warmly welcomed at the airport by the Chengdu 2021 Media Team members. “I couldn’t believe my eyes that I was getting to physically meet the team for the first time.”
His first destination was the base of Chengdu 2021 FISU Games website. He had the opportunity to experience their working environment firsthand and meet other members of the media team. “To my surprise, many of them still remembered me, noting that my story had served as an inspiration to them. Their warm welcome made me feel truly appreciated. And so, my 17-day journey in Chengdu officially began.”
The balance of the funds on the Airticket could only cover 15 days of his stay in Chengdu, which meant he had to spend the first two days outside the FISU Games Village. He entered the FISU Games Village at Chengdu University officially on 27 July 2023, a day before the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games.
During his time at the FISU Games Village and throughout the Games, he always updated the AUUS Social Media pages with Team Uganda’s progress and provided updates on the FASU Pages. He also took some time off to fully immerse himself in Chengdu’s atmosphere. He explored nearly every corner of the FISU Games Village, visited the 5D Games Centre, enjoyed performances at the Arts Centre, and took leisurely nature walks through the green FISU Games Village. He had the opportunity to explore various competition venues and even took a tour of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where he marveled at the numerous pandas and learned about the history behind the Games’ mascot, the “Rongbao,” a giant panda. Wangjianglou Park and Dongmen Town were also part of his cultural exploration, where he gained more insights into Chengdu’s history and experienced the daily lives of its citizens amidst the vibrant hustle and bustle of its streets.
He visited the Chengdu Financial City Twin Towers, where he was able to watch the night light show with the Chengdu 2021 Media Team on the night of 9 August. The show was so perfect. He also had a walk on the Jiaozi Ring Bridge on Jiaozi Avenue. He had a taste of Chinese food, and his favourite food was spicy Hotpot. He was taken to a number of restaurants by the media team and friends during his time in Chengdu. He had both a day and night feel of Chengdu and visited business centres in Chengdu. “All I can say everything was wow. I even took a train for the first time in my life, actually on a Subway. The experience was amazing.”
He also had the wonderful opportunity to meet and connect with new friends, expand his network, and embrace the FISU family. He finally got to meet in person the numerous individuals he used to interact with online, including his fellow FISU Ambassadors in Chengdu, the remaining members of the Chengdu 2021 Official Website and Media Team, the dedicated volunteers, and so many others. The list is extensive, but each interaction was truly amazing. At the same time, He was particularly impressed by the warm reception he received from the Chinese citizens. Their hospitality and welcoming attitude were truly heartwarming, making his experience even more beautiful.
“I recorded nearly every moment spent in Chengdu and shared some of them on “Moments” on WeChat. I can’t believe I have a WeChat ID as well, even when in Uganda. I have a number of new Chinese friends on WeChat that I interact with, those I met at the Games. I exchanged gifts, and I learnt to say some words in Chinese. I did everything, Wow. My Dreams came true in Chengdu,” he told.
“Among the numerous cherished moments I had at the FISU Games Village, the final three days of my stay in Chengdu stand out profoundly,” he noted. The closing ceremony was an enchanting spectacle, with a myriad of technological marvels displayed at the Chengdu Open Air Music Park. A mixture of awe and sentimentality overcame me, knowing that his time in Chengdu was drawing to a close. However, this sentiment didn’t hinder him from relishing every last moment in this captivating city.
The culminating days were especially unforgettable. On the evening of 10 August, he found himself as the last international guest in the museum at the FISU Games Village. As he was expertly guided through its various sections, he immersed himself in the richness of Chinese history, leaving with newfound knowledge. The morning of 11 August marked the closing of the FISU Games Village, and he was honoured to be the final international guest to savour breakfast. It was during this meal that he engaged in a delightful conversation with some of the individuals responsible for nourishing them during their stay. They shared lighthearted moments, fostering a sense of camaraderie. And then, as the FISU Games Village bid farewell to its guests, he found himself being the last international guest to depart. “It’s a reality I’m still coming to terms with, one that I’ll carry with me indefinitely. This experience has etched itself into my memory, a profound chapter that I’ll treasure throughout my life.”
“I will miss Chengdu. I really miss it, and I can’t stop thinking about it even while I am writing this. I wish I had more time to spend with everyone in Chengdu. I wish time could run back a little, and we rekindle all the memories created at the Games. I wish we had more weeks to spend in Chengdu,” he added.
“I will never forget my first participation in the FISU World University Games. I created memories that will last a lifetime. My heart skips a beat whenever I hear someone mentioning the name “Chengdu”. Every place I go to in Uganda, they call me Mr. Chengdu. It felt like I had become a Chinese citizen by the time I left Chengdu because I had already gotten used to the society in Chengdu. If my heart was Earth, Chengdu occupies 90% of it. I might be gone for long, but I will be back soon.”
“I always believe that one can’t realise their dream without the help of others. To all those who made my dreams come true, my anonymous sponsor, the Chengdu 2021 FISU Games Official Website and Social Media Team, my Federation and every individual who contributed to this journey, you made my Dreams come true. Thank you. To all those that have Dreams, Follow Your Heart, Go For Them Because Dreams Come True,” he appreciated.
Media ContactCompany Name: Chengdu 2021 FISU World University GamesContact Person: JIN XinEmail: Send EmailCountry: ChinaWebsite: https://www.2021chengdu.com
