Ulaanbaatar city – The 6th National Universiade Games 2024 is going to be organized from 15 to 26 April in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Student athletes will compete for a total 533 medals in 10 sports. In total of 2,240 students, 600 coaches, referees and organizers from 33 universities are registered in this event. The Games is aimed at improving the physical fitness of students, promote proper leisure time, developing interest in sports, improving the skills of the best athletes, selecting talented athletes to participate in continental and world university championships and the World University Games. This biggest university sports competition in Mongolia was held five times in 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2020-2022, and starting from 2024, it was decided to held once every two years.

The Games are supported by the Government of Mongolia, the Olympic, Public and National Physical Education and Sports Committee, the Ministry of Education and Science, the State Committee of Physical Education and Sports, and organized by Mongolian Student Sports Federation /MSSF/.

The best athletes for the Games were selected through primary competitions that began in the 2023 academic year and ran until April 1, 2024. About 30,000 students from 50 universities took part in the selection. They will compete in 10 sports as like volleyball, handball, judo, basketball 5x5, taekwondo, futsal, cheerleading, wrestling, chess and table tennis.

As part of its social responsibility, MSSF has selected the rare Mongolian Gobi bear “Mazaalai” as the mascot. MSSF believes that it will stimulate students and youth to love and protect them and to give more understanding and attention to the society about this bear.

The competitions will be broadcasted by Mongolian National Public Radio and Television Sports channel, latest news, results and photos will be published in website and facebook page of MSSF. Journalists and reports from about 20 media organizations will promote the Games to public.

The wrestling and judo student-athletes who take part in these Games will represent Mongolia at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

The opening ceremony was held on April 15, 2024 at the Central Sports Palace with a modern cultural event and a fun student atmosphere. The ceremony was attended by the Advisor to the Prime Minister of Mongolia, representatives of supporting organizations, teachers, coaches, referees and students. The highlight of the ceremony was that the Prime Minister of Mongolia Mr. Oyunerdene L. conveyed special warm congratulations and FISU President Mr. Leonz Eder delivered online greetings to the student-athletes.

(Source: NUSF Mongolia press /Enkhnaran Jargalsaikhan/)