Overview
Somaiya Vidyavihar University in Mumbai officially opened the 2026 FISU World University Championship Squash, a week‑long international university‑sport event that brings together student‑athletes from fourteen nations – Brazil, the People’s Republic of China, Czechia, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong China, Hungary, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa, Singapore, Switzerland and the host nation India.
Participation and Volunteer Support
More than 120 student volunteers from colleges across India, including an estimated 60‑70 volunteers from Mumbai, were mobilised to assist with logistics, hospitality and event operations throughout the seven‑day competition on the university’s World Squash Federation‑certified courts.
Leadership Remarks
Chancellor Samir Somaiya, a former squash player of over four decades, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the university’s long‑standing commitment to integrating sport with education and noting that the championship fulfills a promise made by his grandfather to build a university that offers world‑class sporting opportunities. He highlighted the university’s Somaiya Sports Academy, Eklavya, and the goal of making squash accessible to all students.
Professor Vinay Kumar Pathak, President of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), underscored the role of universities in shaping responsible citizens and praised sport as a classroom for resilience, teamwork and character development.
Martin Dalton, Executive Committee Senior Member of FISU, commended the partnership between Somaiya Vidyavihar University, AIU and other organisers, and encouraged athletes to embrace both competition and India’s cultural experience.
Shri Venugopal Reddy, Additional Chief Secretary of the Higher and Technical Education Department, Government of Maharashtra, declared the championship open, describing it as an expression of India’s “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” philosophy and expressing confidence that the event would forge lasting friendships among participating nations.
Opening Ceremony Highlights
The ceremony featured a sand‑art performance by acclaimed artist Nitish Bharati, depicting India’s heritage, learning spirit and sporting excellence, followed by the cultural production “The Golden Bird – A Journey Across Cultures,” celebrating India’s diversity and the FISU movement’s emphasis on cultural exchange.
Partnerships and Support
The event’s official India jersey partner, One8, supplied the Team India kits. Taj The Trees, Mumbai served as the accommodation venue for athletes, officials and delegates, showcasing Indian hospitality.
Media Coverage
Live coverage of the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as championship matches, was made available on FISU TV, SquashTV, Prasar Bharati, Waves OTT and India Squash TV, enabling global audiences to follow the competition.
Contextual Significance
The championship arrives as squash prepares for its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, positioning university‑level competition as a critical pathway for student‑athletes to gain international exposure while continuing their education. The event also reinforces Somaiya Vidyavihar University’s reputation as a hub for world‑class sporting infrastructure and highlights India’s growing stature as a host for major international university sports events.
Institutional Background
Somaiya Vidyavihar University, accredited with an A‑grade NAAC rating and established in 2019 on the foundation of an 84‑year legacy, offers multidisciplinary programmes across engineering, management, sciences, humanities, design, film, music, sports and more. The university’s mission centres on profession, mindset and character, aiming to produce graduates equipped for societal impact.
About AIU
The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) represents over 1,200 member universities, conducts more than 230 inter‑university tournaments annually across 58 sports, and provides competitive opportunities to over 2.2 million student‑athletes from a base of more than one crore college students.
Closing Note
The championship, encapsulated by the slogan “Smashing Barriers, Uniting Nations,” not only crowns champions on the court but also demonstrates how a shared vision across generations can create lasting opportunities for students, institutions and the broader sporting community.