FROM KAMPALA TO THE WORLD STAGE 🌎🎓
Current student representative, FASU.
Been a whileee, welcome once again to Athlete Diaries, a series that features student athletes, where we tell untold stories of student athletes across Africa.
Today’s edition, we will be speaking with Aupal Emmanuel.
STRAIGHT INTO IT!
Meet Aupal Emmanuel, a student athlete at Makerere University in Uganda. Beyond his athletic involvement, he shows up with active leadership skills in SPORTS ADMINISTRATION while being the sports minister at Makerere University.
Today, Emmanuel shares his journey to becoming a student athlete, a successful student representative at FASU and HOW HE JUGGLED his masters studies in Russia🇷🇺
LET’S DIVE IN!
OPENINGS :
Q- Can you tell us a bit about yourself, where you’re from and your early days in sport?
A- My name is Aupal Emmanuel, the current student representative of the Federation of Africa University Sports (FASU). I am Ugandan by birth, born in Nakasongola, in Central Uganda. This is where my journey began. I grew up watching football. Actually, I wanted to be two things when I grow up. I wanted to either be a pilot or a football player for Arsenal (unfortunately these didn't come true haha). But atleast I fly on the planes and also watch Arsenal play, so that could be a bit of consolation. I started out as a football player as a young kid back in our local town. My dad used to buy me boots, balls, jerseys and always supported my journey. I used to play for our primary school team until,and continued playing till high school when I picked interest in Table Tennis at Jinja College in 2013. I learnt the sport, and it's what I played till University time. I represented my school in the 2015 Uganda School Sports Association Ball 1 Games, but then my sporting journey took a break as I later joined a school where sports, specifically Table Tennis wasn't played. I then got to resume at University, Makerere University in 2018. I then represented my University in my very first year at University at the East African University Games in Dodoma, Tanzania that year (December, 2018). I later captained the men's team to Bronze in 2019 at the National University Games, and that's when the pandemic came in and halted sport.
JOURNEY TO ADMINISTRATION:
Q - What inspired your journey from being an athlete to pursuing a masters in sports administration?
A - Well, it is still about the environment that I kept being exposed to. The people you grow up in, with, and around usually have an impact on your life. As an athlete, I never thought that I would be where I am. I actually didn't know the other side of Administration. It was until my second year at University that I got to know about University Sports administration, and since then, I was inspired by all the people who were involved in the industry around me. They showed me the way, and it's what has led me to where I am. I have always wanted to improve student athletes lives' but also enter the field of management. I think I was born a leader, and that's how I ended up in the field of administration.
INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE:
Q - How has this international education reshaped your view of sports development in Africa?
A - We just need to do better. We have a lot of work to do back in Africa. Ofcourse, we are making progress but there are number of issues we have to work on, more so the practicality of the ideas that we usually come up with. The ideas usually remain on paper, which is a challenge back in Africa but I think when we work on that, sports will surely grow. I was very amazed by what I learnt.
CHALLENGES AND GROWTH:
Q - Was there ever a moment you wanted to give up— and what kept you going?
A- One thing with me is that I never give up but as a human, there are situations which put you to test, but I have conquered all. I always said to myself that I want to be the change that I wanted to see. So, I keep going. The only way is forward. Even when I fail, I keep trying because it's not bad to fail. The only bad thing is giving up.
VISION FOR AFRICA SPORTS:
Q - How do you see yourself contributing to sports administration and athletes development in Uganda and Africa?
A - Like I said, I have to be the change I want to see. As an athlete centred person, I have to continue advocating for student interests not only in University Sports but also in other sports. I am fresh with ideas that will make a vital asset for the Sports administration industry in Uganda, Africa, and the world.
Q - What’s one change you’d love to see in the Africa sports systems?
A - I emphasize the need to always be intentional if we want to develop sport in Africa. We should work together towards bettering African sports, and not just selfishly working for ourselves. This is our home (Africa). We have to make it better and competitive.
BEYOND THE DEGREE:
Q - What’s one lesson from your Master’s program that you apply to your daily life?
A - I think I apply most of the lessons from my Master's Program in real life. First, is in regards to people management in sport. We are all different in life, so how to approach one person is different from another. How to manage people is very crucial. Secondly, is to actually put into practice what we say. People usually just speak and don't implement. That's something I usually apply in real life. Third is communication skills, it's something that we tend to ignore but I continuously apply in real life.
ADVICE TO STUDENT ATHLETES:
Q - What advice would you give African student athletes who wants to transition into sports leadership or pursue international opportunities?
A - The first thing I would say is that they should not give up. They should keep pushing for their goals, and to dream big. Hard work is also something that is very important. As Africans, we usually go through a lot to reach the top. So, we just have to work as twice as hard if we want to reach for the greater heights. They can actually do it. I am an example that they can look up to. There are many others as well that could even inspire them. Lastly, they should do much networking as possible because it's very helpful in life.
Q- If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?
A - If I could tell my younger self one thing, It would be "Aupal, there is a lot of things to achieve and time is limited, so make use of the precious time "
CLOSING:
Q - Complete this sentence: ‘’The path behind my performance has taught me..’’
A - The path behind my performance has taught me that we actually have a lot of potential but we can't realize it if we don't try. People are afraid to go beyond or think out the box. But I think we need to push our limits and try out new things.
Q - What’s next for Aupal Emmanuel?
A - Aupal Emmanuel is ready to change the world. I am going back home to be the change I want to see. I am ready to take on the world, explore more opportunities, contribute to sport development in my country Uganda, and uplift my continent, Africa. Nobody will change the situation back home other than us. So we must do it ourselves as the young generation when we still can.
WOW! what a session. Emmanuel’s journey definitely displays the act of resilience, determination and hard work. His balance with school work and administration duties, while inspiring young student athletes from uganda to dream big and have valid and attainable goals.
Remember he spoke on the power of networking, so put yourself out there.🫵🏽
I hope you learnt a thing or two from his journey. Do well to share your thoughts 💭 in the comments below 👇🏾 and stay tuned for more stories to come on the Athlete Diaries (A.D) but for now, byeeeee.❤️
First off, i love his story, it inspires young Africans to do more and stay intuned with their roots
Nice one. Inspiring.