Gulf Universities Championship Season 2 Concludes Successfully at AUK

AUK successfully concluded the second season of the Gulf Universities Championship (GUC), welcoming student-athletes from across the Gulf Cooperation Council for three days of competitive play marked by sportsmanship and regional engagement.

Building on the success of its inaugural season, the championship expanded this year to include Futsal and Padel competitions for men and women, reflecting AUK’s ongoing commitment to promoting active lifestyles and strengthening inter-university collaboration through sport. Participating institutions included AUK and the American University of the Middle East from Kuwait, the University of Technology and Applied Sciences from Oman, the University of Doha for Science and Technology from Qatar, and the American University of Bahrain.

In Women’s Padel, the American University of Bahrain secured first place, followed by the American University of the Middle East in second and AUK in third. The Men’s Padel competition saw the American University of Bahrain claim first place, with AUK placing second and the University of Doha for Science and Technology finishing third. In Men’s Futsal, the University of Technology and Applied Sciences earned first place, the University of Doha for Science and Technology placed second, and the American University of the Middle East secured third.

Individual honors in Futsal were awarded to Zaher Alaysari of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences as Top Scorer, Abdullah Alalawee of the same institution as Best Goalkeeper, and Yousef Shrief of the University of Doha for Science and Technology as Most Valuable Player.

“This championship reflects what university sports should represent—unity, character, and opportunity,” said Omar Mehdi, Director of Student Life at AUK. “Bringing together universities from across the Gulf creates meaningful connections beyond competition. We are proud to host GUC for a second season and to continue building a platform that supports student growth, wellness, and regional collaboration through sport.”

With increased participation, expanded sporting disciplines, and strengthened partnerships, GUC Season 2 represents another milestone in positioning AUK as a leading hub for collegiate athletics in the region. Planning is already underway for future seasons, with a continued focus on expanding opportunities for student-athletes across the Gulf.

Images from the event