United in action: UM and the National Games

The 15^th National Games, jointly hosted for the first time by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, has officially opened, with competitions across a wide range of sports now in full swing. This national event not only celebrates the spirit and beauty of sport, but also showcases the power of regional integration. As an integral part of Macao, the University of Macau (UM) community is actively participating in the events held in Macao. UM faculty and students are contributing in many ways—from competing as athletes to serving as volunteers—demonstrating their dedication and excellence on this national stage.

Competing on home ground in Macao: A mix of nerves and excitement

Macao is hosting five events at this year’s National Games. For UM athletes, being able to compete on home ground brings warmth, pride, and special meaning to their performances.

At the time of writing, UM students have won two gold medals at the National Games, bringing honour to Macao. Both victories came in the karate events held in Macao, where Iong Kuan Ho and Cheang Pei Lok captured gold in the men’s kumite (mass participation) and men’s team kata (mass participation) events respectively. Their success demonstrates the determination and exceptional skill of Macao athletes.

Among those representing Macao is Seak Hui Li, a fourth-year UM student in business intelligence and data analytics, who competes in the table tennis events also held in Macao. In addition to being a key player on the team, Seak served as one of the torch bearers for the Games. She enters the competition with an impressive record of success. She has won three consecutive championship titles at the Macao University Student Table Tennis Championships, and has competed at the Chengdu FISU World University Games and the Hangzhou Asian Games. With this wealth of experience, Seak has emerged as a standout competitor in both the women’s team and mixed doubles events at the National Games.

‘Competing in Macao, surrounded by familiar faces and languages, I feel both nervous and excited,’ Seak says. Compared with the previous National Games in Yan’an, Shaanxi Province, competing this time in her home region of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area feels completely different. The familiar environment and the support of family, friends, and teachers bring her warmth and motivation, but also a strong sense of responsibility to represent Macao and UM. This UM athlete admits that the growing attention and high expectations can also bring pressure.

Rather than being overwhelmed, Seak turns that pressure into focus and composure. From the sidelines, she encourages her teammates with the calm confidence of an experienced athlete—a striking contrast to the newcomer she was at the last National Games. She has grown from a learner into a leader, someone who inspires trust and lifts team spirit. ‘We need to show the spirit of not fearing strong opponents and never giving up,’ Seak says firmly. After completing the mixed doubles event on 7 November, Seak has turned her focus to the women’s team event on 14 November, regrouping and preparing for her next challenge.

For now, UM athletes, through their dedication and perseverance, are using the National Games as a platform to write a new chapter in sports for both Macao and UM.

Supporting the Greater Bay Area through volunteering

On the same court where Seak competes, a group of uniformed UM faculty members and students are providing enthusiastic volunteer support from the sidelines. They form the backbone that keeps the events running smoothly. Their dedication represents more than individual effort—it reflects the UM community’s strong commitment to supporting the joint hosting of the National Games across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The tripartite hosting of the 15^th National Games carries profound significance. It is more than a sports event—it serves as a crucial platform for promoting regional integration and strengthening national identity. To prepare for the Games, UM launched the UM Sports Volunteer Programme in September 2022, offering systematic training for faculty and students in different areas of sports services. The programme laid a solid foundation for developing a well-trained volunteer team.

The first group of 162 trained faculty members and students formed the programme’s core. As recruitment expanded, participation grew rapidly. By March 2025, UM had recruited 1,469 sports volunteers, and organised 256 theoretical training sessions and 1,137 practical activities, which together accounted for a total of 8,823.5 service hours. To qualify as volunteers, participants were required to complete three theoretical courses and at least three practical sessions, or ten hours of hands-on training. After a rigorous assessment, 533 participants were certified to serve at the National Games.

UM volunteers are supporting the table tennis events at this year’s National Games. More than 700 UM volunteers have been deployed across 11 areas, including competition check‑in, anti‑doping, information technology support, venue guidance, marketing and ticketing, protocol and awards ceremonies, catering, information desks, sports presentation, media operations, and the main press centre, ensuring smooth operations throughout the events.

Among the volunteers is Sou Hao Wa, a second-year student in the Faculty of Business Administration. Having started playing table tennis at the age of six, Sou was a former member of the Macao table tennis team and is currently a member of the UM Table Tennis Team. This year, she has taken on a new role—serving as a VIP liaison at the table tennis venue. Through her professionalism and confident communication, Sou showcases the capability and spirit of Macao’s youth. ‘Although I am not competing as an athlete, I am proud to support the National Games and contribute to the Greater Bay Area through my service,’ Sou says.

Jiang Yiwa, a senior instructor in the Faculty of Law, was part of the first cohort of volunteers. She serves on the demanding anti-doping team, where she has witnessed the professionalism and dedication of her peers. ‘The National Games, held across the Greater Bay Area, is more than a competition. It carries expectations for regional integration and reflects the new pattern of national development,’ Jiang says. ‘Law values rules and fairness, just as sports do. Participating in the Games allows me to put my knowledge into practice and serve the community.’

‘Through volunteering, I hope people will recognise UM’s commitment as a university rooted in Macao, taking part in the Greater Bay Area, and going global,’ Jiang adds. ‘UM faculty and students are not only professional, but also passionate about service. We communicate confidently, work diligently, and take pride in contributing wherever we can. The university has cultivated a new generation of warm-hearted and responsible students who are committed to contributing to the development of the country and the Greater Bay Area along with Macao.’

The rewards of volunteering

By taking part in volunteer work, UM members gain far more than they give. The experience is not only memorable but also a journey of personal growth. For many, volunteering at the National Games is more than an act of service—it is a meaningful exchange of giving and receiving.

Gao Zice, a non-local postgraduate student in communication and new media, perfectly illustrates this spirit. Building on his volunteer experience at the Winter Olympics, he has joined the media team at the National Games, where he assists photojournalists and other media staff to ensure accurate event coverage. Yet for Gao, the greatest reward goes beyond professional skills—it is the sense of belonging and connection he has found in Macao.

‘I felt extremely excited when I saw the national flag of China and the regional flag of Macao inside the venue,’ Gao recalls with emotion as he describes the flag presentation ceremony for the Macao sports delegation. ‘Although I am not from Macao, being able to work as a volunteer at the National Games while studying here, and to contribute alongside like-minded teammates, makes me feel deeply honoured.’ For Gao, volunteering is not just an assignment—it is an experience of emotional connection and relationship building.

To deepen volunteers’ understanding of Macao’s culture, the organising committee for the Macao events invited Xie Jingzhen, assistant professor in the UM Department of History, to deliver a special training session titled Macao’s History, Culture, and World Heritage Knowledge. In the session, Prof Xie explored 400 years of Macao’s history as a crossroads of Chinese and Western cultures. ‘Having a solid understanding of Macao’s culture allows volunteers to showcase the city’s unique charm to visitors more effectively,’ she explains. ‘With this knowledge, volunteers can elevate their roles from simply helping out to truly representing the city.’

Prof Xie hopes students will take away three lasting lessons from their volunteer experience: pride in Macao’s culture, confidence in communication, and the deep fulfilment that comes from serving others. These intangible rewards reveal a simple truth—that in serving others, we also enrich ourselves.

The spirit of volunteerism continues beyond the National Games. For the upcoming badminton events of the National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the National Special Olympic Games, to be held in December, UM has arranged about 100 volunteers across five different areas to provide professional support for athletes with disabilities. To prepare for these Games, Gao attended a workshop designed to equip volunteers with the skills to assist individuals with physical challenges.

‘The training has not only improved my volunteer skills but also deepened my empathy and sense of care,’ Gao says. Despite his busy academic schedule, he is eager to serve. ‘If I have the opportunity, I would like to learn more about how to protect athletes’ dignity. I hope to use what I have learned to better support their needs, so that they feel welcomed and can focus fully on performing at their best.’

Behind the scenes: The making of a volunteer force

The enthusiasm and professionalism of UM volunteers did not happen overnight. Their readiness is the result of three years of dedicated effort by OSA. From the launch of the UM Sports Volunteer Programme in 2022 to the uplifting UM Volunteer Pep Rally for the 15th National Games in September this year, OSA has worked tirelessly on volunteer recruitment, training, coordination, and long‑term team development.

Managing such a large volunteer team is no easy task. Since most volunteers are students, OSA placed special emphasis on designing flexible training schedules that fit around their academic commitments, ensuring smooth participation for all. Alongside classroom sessions, practical training played an equally important role. In June and August, OSA organised 208 faculty and student volunteers to take part in National Games test events, giving them first‑hand experience with event operations and procedures. The office also arranged professional workshops and site visits to competition venues, ensuring every participant was well-prepared down to the smallest detail.

At the UM Volunteer Pep Rally for the 15th National Games, Rector Yonghua Song praised UM volunteers for their outstanding contributions to previous major sporting events and encouraged them to continue representing the university with excellence. During the pep rally, Leong Cheok Ieng, a recipient of the UM Sports Volunteer Gold Award, shared her journey—from a first‑year student who joined the volunteer team out of a love for badminton and the Olympics to an experienced student mentor today.

‘When I first started, I helped with setting up venues,’ Leong recalls. ‘Later, I took on new roles such as coordination and disseminating competition updates. These experiences taught me the value of teamwork and greatly strengthened my leadership skills—all thanks to OSA’s continuous support and trust.’

Keeping the National Games spirit alive

Every competition has a finish line, but the journey of service continues. While the flame of the National Games will eventually be extinguished, the spirit of professionalism and passion it has ignited within the UM community will keep burning brightly. Through their pursuit of excellence, teamwork, and dedication, UM faculty and students have discovered the true meaning of sportsmanship and the deeper value of service. Looking ahead, they will carry this spirit forward, lighting new paths and sharing their enthusiasm wherever it is needed.