After holding an Executive Committee Meeting and a General Assembly in Düsseldorf, the International University Sports Federation is eager to see its student-athletes in action in 18 sports and six cities.
Secretary General and CEO Matthias Remund hosted his first FISU General Assembly in Düsseldorf on 14 July, just two days before the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games will kick-off, in the exact same stadium where the Duisburg 1989 Universiade’s opening ceremony was celebrated.
“Our field of play is a meeting room and I am happy to say both the Executive Committee Meeting and the General Assembly were really successful”, said Matthias Remund. “As much as we are proud of our past, our responsibility is the future of university sport, the wellbeing of our students and the development of our sport competitions and educational events. So after securing the framework, we are excited for the action to begin!”
234 medal events
And the action will be 234 medal events in 18 sports, from volleyball – the first sport to start on “day zero”, 16 July in Berlin to rowing and athletics on the very last day, 27 July in Duisburg, including 3×3 basketball and 3×3 wheelchair basketball being played on the same court on the same days at the spectacular Jahrhunderthalle in Bochum. And all the competitions will be shown live on www.fisu.tv
But FISU World University Games are so much more than sport, as much for the spectators as for the student-athletes. There will be plenty of cultural activities and exchanges, a close collaboration with the Ruhr Games giving the event a festival spirit and also the FISU World Conference (17-19 July also in Bochum).
With this years’ theme: “Competing for change: exploring sustainability and (mental) health through sports”, the Conferences wishes to address topics that are central to today’s youth. And sustainability and legacy are certainly central to the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Games, that will only take place in existing venues.
Success through unity
The FISU Games is also a place where participants from all over the planet come together to share a unique experience, arriving as oponents and often leaving as friends.
“We are living in complicated times” reminds FISU President Leonz Eder. And FISU has always been and will always be neutral. We make sure the dialogue remains open and constructive between our member countries and our exchanges are cordial and constant. Let’s have wonderful Games, on the field of play and outside. We will succeed by being united!”
FISU EC Meeting
The Executive Committee Meeting was the perfect occasion for its members to meet two new key employees of FISU Administration, who will work hand in hand to shape the future of FISU’s events.
Admission of two new members
During the General Assembly, to which 65 active National University Sports Federations took part, two new members were included in the large FISU Family: Guinea-Bissau and American Samoa.
The Organising Committee of the Torino 2025 FISU World University Games Winter gave its final closing report, while the ones of Chungcheong 2027 and North Carolina 2029 provided the audience with progress reports, key milestones, exciting videos and a lot to look forward to.
FISU General Assembly
Then came the important time of recognising special achievements by nominating the following people FISU Honorary Members:
- Honorary President: Claude-Louis Gallien (President 2011.2015, 1st Vice-President 2003-2011, Vice-President 1995-1999, Assessor 1991-1995 – 5 terms in the Executive Committee)
- Emeritus Honorary Member: Eric Saintrond (Secretary General 2007-20024, started in FISU as Assistant to the Secretary General in 1985, served alongside 10 Executive Committee mandates)
- Emeritus Honorary Member: Kemal Tamer (Executive Committee Member 2003-20023, Member Supervision Committee for Winter Universiade 2005-2007, Chair Supervision Committee for Summer Universiade 2009-2015, Vice-Chair Supervision Committee for Summer Universiade 2015-2019)
- Emeritus Honorary Member: Omar Al-Hai (Executive Committee Member 2007-2023, Chair International Control Committee 2007-2019, Member International Control Committee 2003-2007)
- Emeritus Honorary Member: Hisato Igarashi (Executive Committee Member 2007-2023, Member Supervision Committee for Summer Universiade 2007-2015)
- Emeritus Honorary Member: Kenny Chow (Executive Committee Member 2011-2023, AUSF Representative 2007-2011, Member International Control Committee 2007-2011)
Gender Equality Awards
Not two but three Gender Equality Awards were given out in Düsseldorf.
First the Project Award, that went to Student Sport Ireland for Trinity College Dublin’s ” Women in Sport” Campaign. “This is an incredible recognition of the work we have done, aligning with the five pillars of Sport Ireland’s campaign” said Niamh Digby Bratton who accepted the award. “We now have a female chairperson elected by our students for the first time ever and this is really encouraging too.”
Champion Award: Gizem Girişmen PhD, University Sports Federation of Türkiye: “Receiving this award is not only a personal milestone, but also a powerful reminder of how far we have come and how far we still have to go. This award is not just about me. It is a recognition of every woman, every athlete with a disability, every person who chose to show up, keep speaking out, and building systems that make space for everyone to dream, participate, and thrive equally. Thank you for this incredible honour.”
Special Award: Went to the Asian University Sports Federation, represented by Lixin Liu, for the 21st ASEAN University Games 2024. Led by the ASEAN University Sports Council (AUSC), it has made significant progress in promoting gender equality in university sports. Between 2022 and 2024, female athlete participation grew from 444 to 562, and female officials increased by 56%.
And now the time has come to look forward to the Opening Ceremony of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, that will start at 20h15 CET on 16 July in Duisburg and on FISU.tv.
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