Team Qatar joins opening event of 2025 FISU World University Games
Rhine-Ruhr, Germany
In a poetic and visually striking setting, the Rhine-Ruhr region hosted the grand opening of the 2025 FISU World University Games. The ceremony brought together student-athletes from around the globe, alongside leading figures from the worlds of sport, the Olympics and academia, in a vibrant celebration of youth and university spirit.
Rashid Saeed Adiba, secretary-general of the Qatar Collegiate Sports Federation and deputy head of Team Qatar, attended the event, reaffirming Qatar's commitment to global student sport. Also present were FISU President Leonz Eder, Secretary-General Matthias Remund, Executive Committee members, and heads of regional and national university federations. Thousands of students were in attendance.
The ceremony opened with a colourful parade of delegations, broadcast live to millions worldwide. Team Qatar proudly participated, with table tennis player Abdullah Abdulwahab carrying the national flag. The delegation included Abdullah Khalifa and Khalid Hussein (fencing), Yousef Magdy and Maryam Ali (table tennis), Maryam Al-Fatnasi (taekwondo), and Mubarka Al-Naimi (tennis), along with technical and administrative staff.
Rhine-Ruhr 2025 is one of the largest editions in the event's history, featuring over 8,500 athletes from 150 countries, competing in 234 medal events across 18 sports. The competitions span 12 days and are held at 23 venues across cities including Berlin, Duisburg, and Bochum.
Beyond the sporting competitions, the Games offer a rich cultural and educational programme, enhanced through a partnership with the Ruhr Games, adding a festive atmosphere to the event.
From July 17 to 19, Bochum will also host the FISU World Conference under the theme: 'Competing for Change: Towards Sustainability and (Mental) Health Through Sport'.
The conference will address key issues affecting youth, particularly sustainability and mental health, aligning with Rhine-Ruhr 2025's vision of creating a lasting social and sporting legacy.
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