Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Dubai successfully concluded the Manipal Sports Fest (MSF) 2025-26, bringing together universities from across the UAE for one of the region’s largest inter-university sporting events.
Held across two phases, the tournament celebrated athletic excellence, teamwork, and sportsmanship while providing a platform for students to compete, connect, and build lasting relationships beyond the classroom.
Phase 1 of the tournament witnessed participation from 23 universities, featuring more than 60 teams and over 300 student-athletes competing in Badminton, Chess, Billiards, Table Tennis, and Throwball.
Phase 2, held between 18 and 22 May 2026, welcomed 21 universities, 74 teams, and 652 participants competing in Football, Basketball, and Volleyball across both men's and women's categories.
The festival showcased an impressive display of talent, determination, and competitive spirit, reinforcing the importance of sports in fostering leadership, discipline, and holistic student development.
Among the standout performances in Phase 1, Middlesex University Dubai secured titles in Mixed Badminton and Women's Chess, while Wollongong University Dubai claimed the Men's Chess championship. MAHE Dubai delivered a strong performance on home ground, winning the Men's Billiards title and securing runner-up positions in Women's Billiards, Women's Table Tennis, Throwball, and Men's Volleyball.
Phase 2 witnessed exciting contests across team sports, with the University of Dubai emerging victorious in Men's Football and Men's Volleyball, Bath Spa University winning both Men's Basketball and Women's Volleyball, and De Montfort University claiming the Women's Football championship.
Reflecting on the success of the event, MAHE Dubai highlighted the growing significance of inter-university sporting competitions in creating opportunities for students to develop resilience, teamwork, leadership, and camaraderie.
The successful completion of MSF 2025-26 further strengthens MAHE Dubai's commitment to providing a vibrant campus experience that balances academic excellence with sporting achievement and student engagement.
MAHE Dubai extends its appreciation to all participating universities, athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and organisers who contributed to making this year's edition of the Manipal Sports Fest a resounding success.
As the tournament continues to grow in scale and impact each year, MSF remains a flagship platform for celebrating sporting excellence and strengthening collaboration among universities across the UAE.
