Tanzania: a Small Delegation with Huge Ambitions

GWANGJU – Their little representative group for this Summer Universiade was not a motive to not participate. One of the smallest delegations that came to this Summer Universiade was Tanzania. The African country’s team is composed by only 3 members: the head of delegation Mr. Johanna Mogongo and two athletes, Nice Antony Mathias, student of the Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE), and Damian Msabila, student of the University of Dar es Salaam.

“I participated in athletics and of course they challenged me a lot. I’m going back to try my best and to be at the high level of other athletes”, said Nice Antony.

In spite of their delegation size, they enjoyed their stay in Korea since their arrival. “We’ve been here since the 2^nd of July. Our delegation is only 3 persons, one in athletics 100 meters and 200 meters is a lady, and the other one is a swimmer. We had a very good time and we were exposed to so many things because we found out that in this competition there are different people from different countries, different cultures, but in the case of performance of course there are some countries which level of performance is very high compared to us, so we’ve learned so many things and now we are going back home and in Tanzania we are going to be serious and to work very hard, so that in the next Universiade that will take place in Chinese Taipei, maybe we are going back home with medals”, said Johanna Mogongo.

These kind of huge events are not hosted in Tanzania and this is a great opportunity for the Tanzanians to participate in major events and to make their names and their country well known for the talent they own.

“I hope I can train so hard and will come back to participate again at the Universiade. I really loved it! Korean people are nice, they are humble, polite and the hospitality is very good. I like them actually, I’d like to stay but I have to go back”, stated Damian Msabila.

Karen Quintero (COL), FISU Young Reporter