How they celebrated IDUS

In Zambia (left picture), IDUS brought together approximately 300 participants from various sports disciplines. Students, athletes, and sports enthusiasts from the university community met around activities such as tug of war, athletics, football and mind games.

In Ukraine (right picture below), almost 300 institutions of higher education in all regions of Ukraine joined the celebration. Competitions, presentations of various types of sports and physical activities, awarding of winners of competitions of various levels took place in stadiums, playgrounds and sports halls. In total, approximately 40,000 people took part in the activities and mass sports events, which included badminton, football, hockey, biathlon, obstacle course, orienteering, eSports, boxing, rowing, freestyle wrestling, judo, athletics, synchronized swimming, fencing, gymnastics and many others.

University and Tertiary Sports New Zealand launched a Social Media Campaign on the theme of  “Celebrating the Impact of Sport on Career Development.” The focus was to demonstrate how participation in sport, whether as an athlete, administrator, or volunteer, significantly contributes to the vocational skill development of tertiary students. There were also various on-campus initiatives that further emphasised the significance of sport in tertiary education, from fitness challenges, club activations, sports competitions, sausage sizzles, have-a-go sessions in both traditional and new emerging sports, free fitness classes, erg competitions, photo competitions, surveys and social media promotions relating to sport. Engagement depended upon where activities were located on campus and ranged from 75 – 375 participants on individual campuses.

In Estonia, about 15 schools and organisations were involved in the organisation of  IDUS. As usual, the day started with joint morning gymnastics, this time led by the mascots. Participants then took part in activities such as 3×3 basketball, blind volleyball, spikeball, orienteering, free throw competition, plank holding, disc golf distance throw, putting, darts, carrying a person, soccer practice, memory game, relay race and car push. 

Over 50 participants and several FADU clubs and organisations engaged in Portugal’s IDUS activities in Aveiro, focused on inclusive sport. Adapted sailing, wheelchair basketball, boccia, goalball were examples of sports people took part in, helping bring attention to a broader range of activities and the importance of sport for all. In addition, a mural that aims to promote university and inclusive sports is being painted in Aveiro by illustrator Constança Bettencourt, also known as C’Marie.

It was intense games of ultimate frisbee and volleyball, heart-pounding soccer matches, spikeball showdowns, and captivating athletics competitions, that highlighted the IDUS activities on Northern Marianas Islands at Northern Marianas College. The focus, however, wasn’t on competition but on holistic student development, including health wellbeing, and the creation of valuable student experiences. The day’s events included experienced athletes and newcomers trying certain sports for the first time, demonstrating the ability for all to engage in sport.

Additional information on IDUS:
Recently the next phase of Let’sMove was launched. The global Olympic initiative to encourage the world to move unveiled its Street Challenge, which is focused on inspiring young people to move through the passion of urban sports and culture. Watch their promo film

Written by Olivier van Bogaert (based on various sources)