ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN – Just one year after hosting the 28th Winter Universiade, the finest Futsal student athletes returned to the foothills of the Trans-lli Alatau Mountains in the late summer months for the World University Futsal Championship.
The 16th edition of the event kicked off in Almaty Arena with an opening ceremony parade of nations and celebration through cultural performance art. In addition to a record number of participants included FISU Vice President Marian Dymalski, Almaty authorities, cultural figures and university rectors in attendance.
WUC Futsal brought together the record number of 454 participants from 17 countries to comprise the 25 men’s and women’s teams competing in Almaty.
The opening to the 16th WUC Futsal event provided touching tributes and first-in-class cultural performances
The ceremony started with a touching performance dedicated to the memory of Kazak Figure Skating icon Denis Ten. A Kazakh figure skater of Korean descent, Ten was a bronze medalist at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games, silver medalist at the 2013 World Championships and gold medalist at the Almaty 2017 Winter Universiade.
“Denis Ten was an incredible figure skater, the legend of our sport, our pride,” Kazakhstan’s minister of culture and sport, Arystanbek Mukhamediuly, wrote after the 25 year-old’s death. “This is an unthinkable tragedy and irreparable loss.”
Laser lights and highly choreographed musical routines also figured prominently during the opening proceedings to Day1 of WUC Futsal before the ceremony gave way to sports competition
While the unforgettable opening provided solace, it also showcased the indomible spirit of student sport. Host Kazakhstan also had reason to celebrate on the opening day of WUC Futsal as their men’s team got their campaign underway shortly after the opening processions with a 4-3 win over Czech Republic in Almaty Arena.
The event runs through next weekend, with the men’s and women’s medal matches taking place on Sunday, 26 of August.
Host Kazakhstan gave the home crowd something to cheer about by starting their group stage play off with a 4-3 victory over the Czech Republic in the first match of the 2018 tournament
Day 1 Highlights Video
Day 1 Game Scores – Men’s Tournament
Day 1 Game Scores – Women’s Tournament
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