After resounding success in its inaugural edition in 2019, preparations for the 2023 FISU University World Cup Football is well underway in Jinjiang, People’s Republic of China.

On 15 December a working group from the Federation of University Sports of China (FUSC) led by Dr. XUE Yanqing, Vice President of FUSC and President of the Asian University Sports Federation (AUSF), arrived in Jinjiang to hold a dedicated meeting with local organisers. Headed by Mr. CHEN Chuanfang, Vice Mayor of Jinjiang City, discussions revolved around the preparations of the second edition of the FISU University World Cup Football.

This is the first high-level meeting between the two parties since Jinjiang City Council finished its staffing and leadership restructuring. To start, FUSC presented the most updated information from FISU to all in attendance, revisited the positive aspects from the previous editions, and touched on areas of improvement in comparison to the first edition held in 2019. Followed by further discussions on the event positioning, other items on the agenda included building a solid organisational structure of the staff team, formulating a sustainable event promotion plan, and keeping a good working relationship for international communication with FISU.

On behalf of the Jinjiang City council, Mr. CHEN greeted the delegation from FUSC to Jinjiang and showed his appreciation for the consistent advice provided by FUSC for the staging of various football events held in Jinjiang. He also underlined the important role that the FISU University World Cup Football played in promoting the local sports industry as well as putting Jinjiang City on the sporting world stage. On behalf of organisers in Jinjiang, he reiterated the commitments to hosting the event in line with FISU guidelines, with an aim to build top university events while promoting football development at a national and international level.

Looking ahead to the second edition in 2023, Dr. Xue concluded that together with the Organising Committee from Jinjiang, FUSC will maintain an open dialogue with FISU by combining efforts to keep preparations on track and on time.

“We are very happy to see the steps being taken with high-level authorities in Jinjiang also taking interest in the event,” said FISU Sports Director, Juan-Carlos Holgado. “Despite recent challenges due to the global situation, we are confident that the new leadership of the Organising Committee will ensure that targets and deadlines are reached in an efficient manner to put on an even more impressive event since the inaugural edition in 2019.”

Original article by