Chebet Elleen, a final-year student at the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM), recently represented Kenya as one of only two volunteers from the country at the FISU World University Games Rhine-Ruhr 2025.
The Games were held from 13th to 28th July across five German cities: Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Essen, Bochum, and Mülheim an der Ruhr, with additional activities hosted in Berlin and Hagen. The event brought together more than 8,500 student-athletes from over 150 countries and was supported by 12,000 volunteers, alongside coaches, officials, media professionals, and academics.
Chebet was selected as a FISU Student Ambassador and served as an all-round volunteer. She mainly supported water polo and rowing events, handling tasks such as setting up goals, aligning lane lines, managing athlete equipment, guiding them through warm-up zones, and assisting technical officials. She also helped with accreditation and provided support to spectators to ensure a smooth and welcoming venue experience.
In addition to her volunteer duties, Chebet participated in the FISU World Conference, which ran alongside the Games and focused on critical topics such as sustainability, gender equality in sport, mental health, climate responsibility, and inclusion. These conversations reflected FISU’s mission of promoting “Excellence in Mind and Body” and positioned sport as a platform for education and global dialogue.
One of the most rewarding aspects of her experience, she said, was the opportunity to connect with fellow Student Ambassadors from around the world.
“These exchanges were eye-opening, full of cultural insight, meaningful conversations, and shared ambitions,” she said. “We bonded over our common passion for student sport, shared best practices from our home countries, and supported each other throughout the event.”
Chebet, who previously captained the TUM volleyball team, described the experience as both personally and professionally transformative.
“Whether I was assisting athletes at the water polo pool or sharing a meal with ambassadors from across the world, each moment reminded me why I chose to represent FISU; to make a difference, connect communities, and carry forward the legacy of sport as a tool for global change.”
TUM celebrates Chebet Elleen’s contribution to international student sport and her role as a leader and ambassador for both the university and the country. Her journey reflects the university’s commitment to global citizenship, volunteerism, and excellence beyond the classroom.
