Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and President of the University of Sharjah, the 2026/2027 Chancellor’s Cup Eight-a-Side Football Tournament officially launched in the presence of H.E. Prof. Esameldin Agamy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, and representatives of participating organizations.

Organized by the Deanship of Student Affairs through its Sports Activities Department, the tournament is being held at the UoS’s sports stadium and will continue through October 25. It features 41 teams across four categories: 14 teams representing the University of Sharjah’s different colleges, 12 teams of university alumni, 7 teams from universities in the emirate, and 8 teams from institutions in Sharjah University City.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Agamy welcomed the participating teams and wished them success. “The University’s role is not limited to its academic mission,” he said. “It extends to society, building social relationships and strong ties with various institutions. Athletic, cultural, and social activities are among the foremost means of bringing people together, strengthening relationships, and creating shared experiences that endure beyond the days of competition.”

Prof. Agamy added that the tournament embodies this approach by bringing UoS alumni, Sharjah higher education students, and affiliates of Sharjah University City institutions on a single field. He emphasized that sportsmanship and fair competition are values that help shape students’ character, reinforce a culture of teamwork, and encourage healthy lifestyles. He called on participants to use the tournament as an opportunity to meet new people and strengthen relationships as much as to compete. The aim of the tournament is to identify promising athletic talent, foster a sense of belonging, and reinforce sport’s role as an effective means of communication and of building lasting bridges among students, alumni, and institutions in the university community.