UCT’s Melissa Awu takes Team SA to FISU World University Games

As a young girl growing up in a sports-loving family, Melissa Awu dreamed of one day representing South Africa on the world stage. She watched Bafana Bafana and the Springboks with admiration, imagining what it would feel like to wear national colours herself. Years later, that dream has come true – not as an athlete on the track, but as the newly appointed team manager of the University Sport South Africa’s (USSA) athletics squad for the upcoming International University Sports Federation (FISU) Games in Italy.

For Awu, who is in her eighth year as the sports manager at the University of Cape Town (UCT), the appointment is both a professional milestone and a deeply personal triumph.

“I am very, very excited,” she said. “It is always a privilege to serve my country through sport. To represent South Africa in any capacity is an enormous honour. As a child, you dream about it. For me, it happened in a different role – but it is still living the dream.”

Sport has always been woven into Awu’s story. Raised in a family where participation was encouraged rather than forced, she explored multiple codes at school – hockey, cricket and football among them. She was selected for provincial football and excelled in hockey, even earning an opportunity to travel to the Netherlands with her unbeaten first team during her Grade 11 year in 2001.

“To represent South Africa in any capacity is an enormous honour.”

At the time, her family’s financial circumstances were modest. With an unemployed mother, a grandmother living on a pension and an aunt on a disability grant, overseas travel seemed almost unimaginable. Yet, through talent and determination, Awu boarded a plane for the first time.

“That experience showed me what was possible,” she reflected.

Inspired by her love for sport, she enrolled for a diploma in sport management at what was then Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, now the Nelson Mandela University. She later completed a FIFA-accredited postgraduate certificate in sport management, graduating cum laude and becoming a FIFA-accredited sports manager.

Her career path has taken her through Eastern Province Rugby, the Southern Spears franchise, a stint as a college facilitator, and roles at Rhodes University, Tshwane University of Technology and back to Nelson Mandela University before she found her home at UCT.

Today at UCT, she supports nine sporting codes, including athletics, gymnastics, swimming, water polo, surfing, yachting, cheerleading, volleyball and parasport. It is a demanding portfolio – one that makes her latest national responsibility even more impressive.

From campus to country

Awu currently serves her second term on the executive committee of USSA Athletics as treasurer. When the call went out for officials to apply for roles at the FISU World University Games, she submitted her application, secured the necessary institutional approvals and went through the standard selection process.

Her appointment as team manager followed.

The games – organised under the auspices of the International University Sports Federation – bring together top student-athletes from across the globe. For many, it is a stepping stone to elite international competition.

As team manager, Awu’s responsibilities began long before departure. She was present at the January trials where the national squad was selected. Once the team was announced, the administrative marathon began: collecting athlete information, verifying registrations, ensuring documentation was signed off by university registrars, coordinating visa applications, confirming kit sizes and managing constant communication.

“I am the admin point of the competition,” she explained. “Any administrative matter for Team SA, I am the point of call.”

The workload was intense. Determined that her national duties would not compromise her responsibilities at UCT, Awu adjusted her schedule.

“From January to the end of February, I came into work at 07:00,” she said. “From 07:00 to 08:00, I focused on FISU admin before starting my UCT work. My duty is to UCT, so those responsibilities cannot fall behind.”

It meant earlier mornings and longer days – “a small sacrifice”, she called it – but one she embraced wholeheartedly.

Chasing medals, carrying dreams

South Africa’s previous athletics team returned from the games with seven medals. Awu is hoping this year’s squad can match – and even exceed – that tally.

“We want to go there and compete well, to come back with medals and make the country proud,” she said. “We normally do well, but we can’t rely on that. We must prepare properly.”

Yet, for her, success is not measured only in podium finishes. Ensuring that every administrative detail is completed on time, that no athlete’s opportunity is jeopardised by paperwork delays – that, too, is achievement.

“My first hurdle was making sure all admin was done and on time. The team is registered, visas are in process, and we have met our deadlines. That’s a big win.”

“Do not be afraid of challenges – those are opportunities. Make the sacrifices and do your part.”

Awu is acutely aware that sport administration, like many areas of sport, has historically been male-dominated. Her journey, she hopes, will encourage other women to step forward.

“Do the basics. Work hard. Get the qualifications. Network,” she advised. “Do not be afraid of challenges – those are opportunities. Make the sacrifices and do your part.”

As she prepares to depart for Italy next Wednesday, Awu carries more than files and travel itineraries. She carries the hopes of young athletes chasing their own dreams – and the pride of a family whose love for sport set her on this path.

“I come from a family of sport,” she said softly. “When the elders look down, I’m sure they are smiling. At least there is one who has represented the family name nationally.”