Chengdu FISU Games: Power of Youth and Solidarity

The 31st summer edition of the Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU) World University Games kicked off with a spectacular opening ceremony in Chengdu, China, on July 28, 2023. Hosted in the vibrant city of Chengdu, this global sporting event radiates the spirit of youth, solidarity, and friendship, uniting nations with the noble aim of promoting world peace and development through the power of youth. Attended by esteemed world leaders, the event serves as a beacon of hope and opportunity for young people worldwide.

In his toast at the welcoming banquet of the opening ceremony, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the significance of bringing together young minds from around the globe to foster mutual understanding and cooperation, thus promoting world peace and development through the power of youth. The FISU World University Games serves as a platform to foster mutual understanding and cooperation among young minds to kindle hope for a better and more peaceful future. The universality of sportsmanship shows that both victory and defeat teach valuable lessons, enabling people to grow and evolve.

Athletes participating in the FISU World University Games exemplify the values of dedication, perseverance, and teamwork, qualities that transcend the sporting arena to be applicable to real-world challenges. By imbibing the spirit of sportsmanship, young people can become ambassadors of unity and forge collaboration to address pressing issues that affect humanity as a whole.

The FISU World University Games bring together young people from all over the world, including Pakistan, with the goal of promoting peace and development. The sports featured in the event include a wide range of disciplines such as archery, artistic gymnastics, athletics, badminton, basketball, diving, fencing, judo, rhythmic gymnastics, rowing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, water polo, and wushu (Chinese martial arts). Five female athletes representing Pakistan participated in three different sports: athletics, wushu, and taekwondo.

President Xi’s support for youth resonates with the event’s values. When diverse cultures converge, friendship and mutual understanding are fostered. Diplomacy through sports builds a harmonious global community that values peace and cooperation. Sporting events wield the power to unite individuals across borders in pursuit of excellence and fair play. The Games nurture mutual respect, reminding people of their shared humanity. The foundation of the Games is inclusiveness, unity in diversity, and mutual learning.

As a youth leader, I firmly believe that fostering mutual respect and understanding is key to addressing contemporary global challenges. Events like the FISU World University Games provide young individuals exposure to different cultures and viewpoints, broadening their horizons and breaking down barriers of misunderstanding. Such interactions lay the groundwork for a harmonious world where cooperation and empathy prevail.

Sports, with its spirit of camaraderie and fair play, offer valuable lessons applicable far beyond the field of play. President Xi’s call to embrace the spirit of sports holds immense significance for seemingly unrelated but daunting challenges like climate change, pandemics, poverty, and inequality, which require united efforts and a sense of solidarity among nations.

President Xi’s toast speech rightly highlighted the significance of exchange and mutual learning in promoting harmony without uniformity. The Games offer an ideal setting for young minds to share cultures, traditions, and values, break down stereotypes, and build bridges between nations. The host city of Chengdu is a vibrant melting pot, and it plays a significant role in connecting China with the world by fostering openness, inclusiveness, and prosperity. Chengdu’s modernity and rich historical and cultural significance make it a true gem on the Southern Silk Road.

The opening ceremony of the Games showcased innovation by blending Chinese cultural elements with cutting-edge technology. As athletes from around the world converge on Chengdu, they not only compete in sports but also engage in cultural exchange, immersing themselves in the allure of Chinese traditions and the city’s unique charm.

This edition of the FISU World University Games is the first world-class multi-sport event held in China’s western region. Chengdu’s commitment to excellence is evident in its diligent preparation and adherence to international standards in venue facilities and service provisions, which has earned praise from international sports organizations and officials.

Beyond the spirit of competition, the Chengdu FISU Games serves as a platform for shaping the future of global sports. Young athletes from diverse backgrounds showcase immense talent, offering a glimpse of the next generation of sports stars, many of whom will make significant contributions to the world of athletics.

As anticipation for the Games peaked, excitement accompanied the release of the opening ceremony’s theme song “Make Dreams Come True.” The song embodies the passion, courage, and dreams of the global youth as they converge on the stage of the Games and resonate with the passion, courage, and dreams of global youth united in pursuit of excellence and fair play.

The 31st FISU Summer World University Games are a remarkable celebration of youth, solidarity, and friendship. This global sporting event, hosted in the culturally rich city of Chengdu, serves as a powerful platform for promoting world peace and development through the power of youth. The Games radiate the spirit of sportsmanship, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation among young minds from diverse backgrounds. Chengdu’s host performance is marked by excellence and inclusivity as it fosters cultural exchange and celebrates the spirit of youth.

The author is founder and executive director of the Islamabad-based Global Strategic Institute for Sustainable Development.