University of Duhok wins Kurdistan universities futsal championship

ERBIL, Iraq — The University of Duhok won the Kurdistan Region universities futsal championship, defeating the University of Sulaymaniyah 4-3 in the final at Selahaddin University's Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences hall in Erbil. The match drew a large crowd, with General Director of Sports Serdar Ismail, Kia-Nim General Director Muhammad Zayir, deans of the Sulaymaniyah and Duhok physical education faculties Ahmed Bahaeddin and Ziyad Mahfuz, and tournament organizer Saman Breifkani in attendance. The tournament was organized by Kia-Nim, the official Kia Motors distributor for the Kurdistan Region and northern Iraq, as part of the company's 2026 World Cup main sponsorship. Twenty teams from public and private universities across the region took part, with support from the Ministry of Higher Education and the General Directorate of Sports. The championship was run in cooperation with the sports faculties of the universities of Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Duhok. The winning team's prize was announced as a one-week tourist trip to Istanbul for all squad members. Players from the champion and runner-up teams received their awards in a closing ceremony.