FISU Games unsung heroes

In sports, the athletes or teams are the ones you see standing on the podium. They are the ones who receive the medals, and the spotlights shine solely on them. But the journey to that podium is rarely a solo effort. It is paved with patience, sacrifice and, above all, teamwork. Behind every medal lies a group of dedicated individuals working tirelessly in the shadows, including of course coaches and team managers.

At the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, one of the standout nations in athletics is South Africa. Team manager Kesa Molotsane, who competed in the women’s 5,000m at the 2017 FISU Games in Taipei, shares what her current role means to the success of her delegation. “This work is very humbling for me. We invest so much time and effort to make sure everything is in place both in coaching and administration. That often means time away from our own families. But at this point, it’s second nature.”

South African student-athletes competing in athletics train six days a week, sometimes up to three sessions a day. With such intense physical preparation, mental resilience becomes just as crucial. Managers motivate them to keep going. Molotsane emphasizes the importance of mindset. “Motivation is one of the hardest parts of this sport. We hold one-on-one sessions with each athlete to help them stay focused on their goals. By then, all the physical work is done. The rest is mental strength.”

Closer than family

Coaches and managers often become closer than family. From the early days of training to the climactic moments of competition, they walk every step alongside their students. They grow together, fall together, and rise up together. And though only one person – or team – may physically be awarded a medal, in spirit, they all stand on the podium.

And in the absence of their biological families, these young players turn to their staff for support. That bond becomes the emotional backbone of the team. “We know our athletes personally. That connection matters — because while they’re here, they don’t have their families or (sometimes) usual coaches. They only have us. That’s why we move together as one team. Their success is a reflection of all our work back home.”

Teamwork

Preparing for competition isn’t just about training. Months of meticulous planning go into every trip. From logistics to communication with referees, the behind-the-scenes team works tirelessly to eliminate any room for error.

South Africa’s youngest manager explains: “I work closely with officials and referees back home to make sure we don’t miss any opportunities or make mistakes. It’s a lot of work, but I prepare thoroughly to avoid problems and ensure our team performs at its best.”

And even as medals are won, the ambition doesn’t stop there. For South Africa, this is only the beginning. “We want more medals, especially more golds. What our athletes have already achieved puts us in a strong position. When we return home, Athletics South Africa will be proud.”

In the end, the real victory is shared. The sweat on the track and on the field may belong to the student-athletes, but the silent strength behind them – the support staff – are the ones who keep the team standing.

Often unseen, always essential.

After three of seven days of athletics competition at Rhine-Ruhr 2025, South Africa had claimed four medals, including gold for Bayanda Walaza in the men’s 100m and Lythe Pillai in the men’s 400m.   

The Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games take place from 16-27 July. Watch all the competitions live on fisu.tv. Click on the link to find the full schedule.

Written by Düşlem Gökgöz, EU U-Media Ambassador,Türkiye

The Young Reporters Programme exemplifies FISU’s commitment to more than sports competitions. At every FISU World University Games, a group of talented aspiring sports journalists are chosen to cover the competition.