Dream for Futsal, Heartbeat for Shanghai. The 18th FISU World University Championship Futsal opened grandly at the gymnasium of Shanghai University of Engineering Science on June 9.
The opening ceremony was attended by Vice Mayor of Shanghai, Xie Dong; FISU Executive Committee Member and Chairman of the International Supervision, Control and Arbitration Committee of FISU (CISCA), Sami Alphonse Garabetian; President of the FISU American University Sports Federation and Chairman of the FISU Futsal Technical Committee, Alim Rachid Maluf Neto; President and Secretary-General of the China Student Sports Federation (CSSF) and Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Liu Lixin; Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, Wang Ping; Secretary of the Party Committee of the Shanghai Municipal Working Committee of Education and Health, Shen Wei; Director of the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, Zhou Yaming; Director of the Shanghai Administration of Sports, Xu Bin; Deputy Secretary of the Songjiang District Committee and District Mayor, Wang Jing; President of the Federation of University Sports of Shanghai, Xue Mingyang; President of Shanghai University of Sport, Mao Lijuan; and Secretary of the Party Committee of Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Li Jiang; and Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Yu Tao. Additionally, leaders from FISU, CSSF, the Chinese Football Association, Shanghai, Songjiang District, and various other universities, as well as representatives from 21 teams from 16 countries and regions, technical officials, media friends, sponsors, student representatives, and business representatives participated in the opening ceremony. The ceremony was hosted by the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Yu Tao.
The opening ceremony began with the entrance of the athletes representing various countries and regions. Accompanied by the majestic national anthem of the People's Republic of China, the national flag was raised on the field.
Xie Dong, Vice Mayor of Shanghai, announced the opening of the Shanghai 2024 FISU World University Championship Futsal.
FISU Executive Committee Member and Chairman of CISCA, Sami Alphonse Garabetian, warmly welcomed all guests on behalf of FISU to the Shanghai 2024 FISU World University Championship Futsal. He expressed heartfelt thanks to the Organizing Committee for their collective efforts and close cooperation in ensuring the successful hosting of the event in vibrant Shanghai. He emphasized that this championship provides a unique platform, hoping every participant will display sportsmanship, honesty, integrity, and mutual respect, fully embodying the spirit of FISU and thoroughly enjoying the competition!
Liu Lixin, President and Secretary-General of CSSF, delivered a welcome speech. He stated that under the strong leadership of the Ministry of Education and the Shanghai Municipal Government, the China Student Sports Federation and Shanghai University of Engineering Science have adhered to the concept of organizing a streamlined, safe, and splendid event, working together to make the Shanghai 2024 FISU World University Championship Futsal a festival of youth, unity, and friendship. He hopes that this event will serve as an opportunity to vigorously promote the Shanghai Spirit and the aims of FISU, using sports to promote unity, exchanges to strengthen friendship, and youthful vitality to advance world peace and development.
After the FISU flag-raising ceremony, referees and athlete representatives took their oaths.
Students from various universities in Shanghai presented wonderful performances at the opening ceremony. The three chapters, Pursuit, Chasing Light, and Fulfilling Dreams, highlighted the cultural heritage from ancient to modern times, showcased the exchange between Chinese and Western civilizations, and embodied the inclusive and open nature of the Shanghai 2024 FISU World University Championship Futsal, as well as the enthusiasm and vitality of university students pursuing their dreams.
As the only World University Championship event in China in 2024, the 7-day competition featuring 51 matches will be broadcast to national and global audiences through television, the internet, and other channels, showcasing the talent of university futsal players from around the world