International SELL Student Games in Riga to feature 120 RSU students
Writer: Ilze Āķe-Vīksne,
Communications Department
From 22 to 24 May, Riga will host the XLI SELL Student Games. Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) will be the most widely represented university, with 120 of our students competing across all 14 sports disciplines and demonstrating both their high level of athletic preparation and the university’s strong student athlete system.
The tradition-rich SELL Student Games, whose name is derived from the first letters of the founding countries (Suomi, Eesti, Latvia and Lithuania), have a history dating back more than a century and are among the most significant student sports competitions in Northern Europe. The games are held under the patronage of the European University Sports Association (EUSA) and the International University Sports Federation (FISU).
The competition takes place once a year with a rotating host among the organising countries, bringing together students from other countries as well. The aim of the SELL Games is to promote and develop the university sports, while identifying the strongest student athletes in both team and individual sports.
International competition and a wide range of sports
This year, more than 1,200 athletes from 42 universities and 16 countries, including Armenia and China, will participate in the games. Students will compete in basketball, 3x3 basketball, volleyball, beach volleyball, 7×7 football, badminton, table tennis, orienteering, athletics, swimming, judo, powerlifting, chess, as well as the new discipline of padel tennis, included in the SELL Games programme for the first time.
The main competition venue will be the Olympic Centre Rimi in Riga, where six of the 14 sports disciplines will take place. Events will also be held at the Daugava Stadium, the Team Sports Games Hall, RSU facilities, the Vsevolod Zelony Sports School, as well as in Sigulda and Smiltene.
‘The SELL Games are a great opportunity to excel in sports, demonstrate physical abilities and personal qualities, make new friends, and simply enjoy the company of outstanding athletes from different countries and universities,’
emphasises RSU Prof. Agita Ābele, President of the Latvian University Sports Federation.
Discussion on athletes’ dual career
During the SELL Games, on 23 May from 11:00 to 13:00, a panel discussion will be held at the Olympic Centre Rimi on the dual career of student athletes and the promotion of a safe, inclusive sports environment. The discussion will feature Latvian and international experts, representatives of sports organisations, and athletes.
XLI SELL Student Games are organised by the Latvian University Sports Federation in cooperation with Latvian universities, sports federations, and local municipalities, with support from the Ministry of Education and Science.
