The University of Sharjah has successfully defended both its basketball and volleyball crowns at the third edition of the Universities Cup For Basketball and Volleyball. The dual victory marks the second consecutive tournament sweep for the institution, which competed alongside seven other UAE higher education establishments.
Organised by Sharjah Women’s Sports in partnership with the American University of Sharjah (AUS), the tournament took place between October 12 and 21, 2026, wrapping up on Wednesday, October 21. Strong student turnouts provided energetic support from the stands throughout the competition, aligning with the event’s core goal to embed athletic culture and bolster student engagement in campus sports. The tournament ran from October 12 to 21, 2026, amid enthusiastic crowds and spirited competition.
A total of eight institutions were involved across the two disciplines, with each sport hosting seven participating teams. Participating schools included American University of Sharjah, Gulf Medical University, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS Pilani) – Dubai, University of Sharjah, and Emirates Aviation University. Meanwhile, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) – Dubai contested the basketball segment, and Bath Spa University – Ras Al Khaimah featured solely in the volleyball lineup.
In basketball action, the University of Sharjah secured its title defense by defeating host institution American University of Sharjah 50–19 in the championship final. Rochester Institute of Technology – Dubai claimed third place after earning a decisive 37–1 victory over Gulf Medical University.
The volleyball competition yielded a similar outcome, as the University of Sharjah defeated the American University of Sharjah 2–0 in the final match to retain their crown. Third place was claimed by Bath Spa University – Ras Al Khaimah following their 2–0 win against BITS Pilani – Dubai.
Following the final fixtures, an official awards ceremony was held to honor the top-performing teams. The ceremony was led by Moza Al Shamsi, Director of Sharjah Women’s Sports, alongside Haifa Ismail, Executive Director of Sports, Engagement and Leadership at the American University of Sharjah.
Commenting on the broader purpose of the tournament, Moza Al Shamsi stated that the value of the event extends beyond pure athletic competition. She emphasized that it offers an ideal platform to build community connections and cultivate an active sports culture among both male and female students. Al Shamsi noted that student presence in the stands created a dynamic atmosphere while allowing attendees to discover available campus athletic programs.
Al Shamsi further explained that Sharjah Women’s Sports is working alongside university authorities to convert tournament momentum into long-term sports engagement, particularly by encouraging more female students to participate in ongoing activities alongside their academic studies.
Echoing these sentiments, Haifa Ismail stressed that the event gives female students vital opportunities to showcase their skills, represent their institutions, and build personal confidence through teamwork. She noted that ongoing joint efforts with Sharjah Women’s Sports aim to establish athletics as a permanent feature of university life, furthering Sharjah Women’s Sports’ strategic mission to promote lifelong physical activity among female higher education students.
