The Sports Center of the University of Porto (CDUP-UP) was present at the presentation session of the new Promotion Program for University Sports, promoted by the Academic Federation of University Sports (FADU). The initiative took place on May 28th, in Aveiro, and was attended by Daniel Vieira, responsible for the Competition Department of CDUP-UP, representing the University of Porto.

The new program emerges as a national strategy with the aim of consolidating a more inclusive, innovative, sustainable and truly integrated university sports ecosystem throughout the territory. Through a reinforcement of financial, technical, institutional and promotional support, it is intended promote sports practice in higher education, promoting health and well-being of academic communities, valuing the training of student-athletes and their dual careers, encouraging the production of knowledge and innovative practices, and contributing to territorial cohesion and regional development.

The session was attended by from the Secretary of State for Sports, Pedro Dias, who highlighted the program’s alignment with national public policies, highlighting its strategic relevance for the sector. “I believe that this program can make a very significant contribution. It is aligned with the Government’s strategic axes and objectives for sport. And, more than that, it represents a shared construction with clubs and institutions, which will allow us to transform the reality of university sport and bring it closer to the country’s strategic objectives”, stated the minister.

Also present at the session was the President of the Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities (CRUP), Paulo Jorge Ferreira, which valued the collaborative nature of the initiative and reinforced the fundamental role of higher education institutions in promoting sports. “Higher education institutions increasingly benefit from conditions that promote sports. This has a direct impact on health, well-being, integration and inclusiveness in academic communities, which are increasingly diverse and internationalized”, highlighted the President of CRUP.

In its turn, the President of FADU, Ricardo Nora, highlighted the ambition of the program and the expected impact in the coming years, underlining the importance of an inclusive and innovative approach. “We want this project to contribute to making sport in higher education increasingly equitable and accessible to all. We are certain that we will be able to improve the diversity of the sporting offering and innovate in what is currently being done in Portuguese university sport”, stressed the President of FADU.

Applications for the Development Programme will open for the 2025/2026 sports season and are aimed at affiliated clubs, regional FADU entities and higher education institutions. In line with this national strategy, CDUP-UP will continue to assert itself as an active agent in the promotion of university sports, contributing to the promotion of healthy lifestyles and the comprehensive education of students at the University of Porto.