Nikon boosts young photography programme

A pioneering project to develop aspiring sports photographers has received a major boost with the announcement of Nikon as an Official Supporter Partner of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games. The world-leading supplier of imaging products and services will become the exclusive provider of camera equipment and accessories to the ‘Young Photographers presented by Nikon’ programme for the duration of the event.

Part of the broader Young Sports Media Talents project, the programme will recruit five budding photographers from Germany and another five globally, and support them in shooting the world’s biggest multi-sport event for student-athletes next July.

“We are thrilled to have Nikon joining us as an Official Supporter Partner for the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games,” Frederik Matthies, Head of Marketing at Rhine-Ruhr 2025, says. “As a brand, Nikon exemplifies everything that we want to project: an event rooted in history yet open to the limitless potential for effecting positive change. Together we will capture the Rhine-Ruhr region in its most creative and inspirational light.”

In the weeks building up to the FISU Games, they will have been selected, trained, and invited to a series of informative online workshops and onsite briefings - all with Nikon’s support.

"We at Nikon are excited to announce our partnership with the Organising Committee of the FISU World University Games in Germany. This collaboration offers us the unique opportunity not only to support university sports but also to promote emerging sports photographers. We believe in the power of photography to capture the emotional and dynamic world of sports. That’s why we will offer special workshops for young photographers to help them further develop their skills and capture the unforgettable moments of this event. Together with Rhine-Ruhr 2025, we are committed to inspiring the next generation of talent and providing them with a platform to unleash their creativity," says Sarah Engel, Department Manager Marketing Communication DACH.

Top equipment, great rewards

Applications are now open for the Young Sports Media Talents project. In addition to ten photographers, the Organising Committee is searching for 12 of the best up-and-coming reporters and six promising audio-descriptive commentators to help it deliver top class images, quotes and reports to the world’s media next summer.

Just like the rising sporting stars they will be covering, all participants in the programme will be aged between 18 and 25.

“I’m delighted to see that our ambition as organisers to expand opportunities for students matches the ambition of Nikon to support a young generation of sports photographers,” Maxim Berdnikov, the media services manager for the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Games, says.

“The partnership with Nikon makes it possible to execute the project at the high professional level by granting top camera equipment and rewarding the participants with great prizes."

Those prizes consist of Nikon Z6III Kit Nikkor Z 50/1.4 and a share of a EUR 6,000 cash pool for the three young photographers adjudged to have captured the best images during the FISU Games. A selection of the best shots from every photographer on the programme will also adorn the wall of the Main Press Centre in Messe Essen.

Aspiring in the Young Photographers presented by Nikon project, click here.