AUK Opens the 2026–27 Sports Season with “Spot Earned” Season Kick-Off

Athletes, coaches and the university community gathered at the Student Center Indoor Court to launch the new season, induct three members into the AUK Sports Hall of Fame and recognize the best of 2025–26.
 
AUK opened its 2026–27 sports season with the Season Kick-Off on Thursday, 15 October, at 7:00 PM in the Student Center Indoor Court. Built around the theme “Spot Earned,” the evening celebrated the students who earned a place on the university's teams.
 
The Office of Student Life and Alumni Affairs organized the event, which brought more than 85 athletes, coaches and guests together in a seating layout built around a central stage below the main screen. Athletes received framed recognition and giveaways, and a photo booth gave teams a place to mark the night.
 
The program inducted three members into the AUK Sports Hall of Fame: Dr. Roman Kulchitsky, men's soccer coach from 2010 to 2015; Shaikhah Al Sabah, women's basketball captain from 2021 to 2026; and Fay AlHumoud of women's volleyball. Most Valuable Player, Most Improved Player and Rising Star awards were then presented for the 2025–26 season to men's futsal, women's volleyball, men's volleyball and women's soccer.
 
The Season Kick-Off came two days before the KIPCO Universities Championship (KUC) Fall 2026 began at AUK on Saturday, 17 October. The championship brings together university teams in men's soccer (6v6), men's basketball, women's basketball and women's futsal, with matches in the Student Center Indoor Court and the outdoor soccer field.
 
"Sports are where our students learn to show up, work together and take pride in representing AUK. Tonight was about honoring the athletes who earned their place, and the people who built this program before them." – Omar Mehdi, Dean, Office of the Dean of Student Affairs
 
"Every spot on an AUK team is earned at tryouts, in practice and on game day. Tonight we celebrated the athletes who did that, and we are ready for the season ahead." – Anas Abdullah, Sports Coordinator, Office of Student Life and Alumni Affairs.
 
AUK sports teams will compete throughout the 2026–27 academic year. Fixtures and updates are shared through the official KUC Website kuc-portal.com.
  
Images from the event