“Portugal has taken a significant step forward in its ambition to host the World University Beach Sports Championship in 2026, in Figueira da Foz. During this year's edition, held in Rio de Janeiro, a Portuguese delegation was present in order to promote the candidacy”.

The intention must be made official by the Academic Federation of University Sports (FADU) Portugal together with the International Federation of University Sports (FISU) later this month.

According to the statement, the delegation included the rector of the University of Coimbra, Amílcar Falcão, the pro-rector Filipa Godinho, the president of the Academic Association of Coimbra (AAC), Renato Daniel and the vice-president of the AAC, Diogo Lopes, with, representing the Academic Federation of University Sports (FADU) Portugal, the president, Ricardo Nora, the vice-president, Diogo Salgado Braz, and the general secretary, Arménio Coelho, were present.

The desire to host the event on Portuguese soil “is aligned with the recent development of the university hub of the University of Coimbra in Figueira da Foz, a strategic project that aims to strengthen the connection between academia and the local community, while at the same time promoting university sports at an international level”.