Even as the global pandemic has the world at a standstill, the wheels of university sport keep moving. The FISU Media and Communication team recently had its first meeting with the newly constituted FISU Media and Communication Committee (CMC). The CMC is responsible for advising the FISU Executive Committee regarding all things related to media and communication.
The agenda of the meeting was to establish lines of internal communication and to identify the future of FISU Media and Communication activities. Luciano Cabral, Chair of the CMC and FISU Vice President, kicked things off by starting on a positive note.
“I am very happy with the FISU Media and Communication team and would like to congratulate them on the work they have done so far,” he said. “I hope we can work even closer together with the CMC and am looking forward to connecting the university universe together.”
During the meeting, topics such as World University Games-time media operations, event storytelling, ongoing publications and the FISU Young Reporters Programme were discussed. The new committee, formed in late 2019, was able to get a fresh perspective and insight into the daily operations of the FISU Media staff. High enthusiasm was evident throughout the meeting.
“I may be one of the youngest members of the committee and I look forward to learning a lot,” said Committee member Sikhulule Nkomphela, who is currently working with University Sports South Africa (USSA). “One of our primary responsibilities is changing the world through university sports and to serve as a voice for stories to be told.”
The FISU Young Reporters Programme was discussed at length. The Programme began in 2011 and has continued through most editions of the FISU World University Games since then. Committee members brought in a fresh perspective, asking key questions about how the programme can be made more inclusive and even how the CMC members themselves can get involved during the Games.
“Our hope is that we actually train these young reporters for their professional lives,” said Mercy Lakisa, CMC member from Uganda, who has been appointed from the FISU Student Committee. “Not just training for the event, but keeping them engaged well after the Games because they are a way of tapping into new ideas.”
When asked about where they see FISU Media and Communications going, it was clear that this committee is ready to get to work right away with a hands-on approach. Among the members is the very experienced Damien Bardot― CMC member since 2008 – who is Director of Communications at the French University Sports Federation (FFSU).
“I think there are many added values brought by this team in the past three to four years and I hope it continues,” said Bardot. “It makes sense for the University Sport Movement to grow, across the world.”
Chair Luciano Cabral ended the virtual meeting on a positive note. “I love to play in a team, and it seems that we are finally starting to work together,” he said. “I wish you all the best of luck and I look forward to meeting in the next weeks to come.”
List of CMC members
Chair: Luciano Cabral
Vice-Chair: Yanqing Xue
Member: Natallia Aliokhina
Member: Damien Bardot
Member: Mercy Lakisa
Member: Sikhulule Nkomphela