The Opening Ceremony of the European Universities Badminton Championship took place on 22 June in Madrid at the Camilo Jose Cela University.

The event marked the official start of the event, taking place from June 22 to 28, bringing up a week full of passion, commitment, and sportsmanship, to be experienced at the Rey Felipe VI Sports Centre in Boadilla del Monte, Madrid.

The event featured the presence of distinguished figures from the world of sport and education, including Aitor Canibe, Deputy Director General for High Performance at the Spanish National Sports Council; Jaime Olmedo, Rector of Camilo Jose Cela University; and Adam Roczek, President of the European University Sports Association (EUSA), all of whom addressed the audience.

On behalf of the Organising Committee, participants were welcomed by Aitor Canibe Sanchez, Deputy Director General for High Performance at CEDU, and Jaime Olmedo, Rector of Camilo Jose Cela University, who both extended their warmest wishes for a successful, inspiring, and enriching experience throughout the event.

EUSA President Adam Roczek welcomed all participants and wished all the teams and participants who came to test their skills and abilities well ahead of the start of the competition, while also thanking the Organising Committee for all their contributions.

The competition is being organised by Camilo José Cela University, with the support of the European University Sports Association (EUSA) and the Spanish High Council for Sports (CEDU).

EUSA is represented by EUSA President Adam Roczek, Vice President and SCAC Chair of the competition, Bruno Barracosa, Director of Sports Events, Liam Smith, Sports Administrator, Aleksandra Andreeva, and the Technical Delegate, Jozef Kuprivec. They will make sure that the event runs smoothly and without problems.

The opening ceremony featured a vibrant marchpass of the student-athletes, showcasing the spirit of unity, diversity, and sportsmanship that defines university sport.

With a vibrant and emotional staging, the ceremony brought together delegations from 15 countries: Germany, Austria, France, Croatia, Ukraine, Portugal, Poland, Hungary, Norway, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Lithuania, Switzerland, and Spain. One by one, the university teams paraded with pride, carrying their national flags and showcasing the true spirit of unity and cultural exchange that defines European university sport.

The ceremony was also marked by symbolic and emotional moments, such as the performance of the national anthem of Spain and the EUSA anthem, celebrating both local identity and the European spirit that come together in this championship. In addition, several live musical performances added warmth and excitement to an unforgettable evening.

The event highlighted the core values of university sport: respect, inclusion, personal growth, and teamwork. Special recognition was given to the collective efforts of the organizing institutions, volunteers, technical staff, and, of course, the athletes who will light up the courts in the days to come.

Madrid and Camilo Jose Cela University are experienced and have already hosted EUSA events in the past, such as: European Universities Tennis Championship in 2017 and the European Universities Football Championship in 2019.

The opening ceremony was much more than a formal act: it was a celebration of the talent, passion, and camaraderie that university badminton inspires. With spirits high, the competition now begins. This week, Madrid becomes the epicenter of the best university badminton in Europe.

The ceremony included an impressive musical and dance performance, showcasing the cultural richness of the host city through a lively display of traditional music and dance.

The organisers aspire for the Championship to be more than just a stage for competition; they envision it as a lasting legacy for university sport in the region, one that will inspire future generations of athletes and establish a standard for hosting international sporting events.

More information can be found at badminton2025.eusa.eu