Rower Nikita Mohr expects a great atmosphere at Rhine-Ruhr 2025
One of the scholarship holders of the Sportstiftung NRW is the lightweight rower, Nikita Mohr. He has already taken part in the 2023 FISU World University Games in Chengdu, China, where he and his partner Finn Wolter won the silver medal in the double sculls. The competitions in China have already inspired him, although he would have liked to have seen a few more spectators: "I can imagine that there is more enthusiasm for all sports in the Rhine-Ruhr region." The medical student, who has his sights set firmly on the event in July 2025, is looking forward to the Games which would offer maximum enjoyment and amusing atmosphere.
Nikita Mohr (left) and Finn Wolter won silver in Chengdu. ©German University Sports Federation
A total of 25 individual persons, associations and companies are supporting the Sportstiftung NRW scholarship programme with around €113,000 - almost €20,000 more than in the previous year. The scholarship holders, who are spread across 32 universities, receive a monthly grant of 300 euros for two semesters. Both the sponsors and the athletes were honoured by Andrea Milz, State Secretary for Sports and Volunteerism of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Andrea Milz (right) honoured the Sportstiftung NRW scholarship holders. ©Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games
State Secretary Andrea Milz: "Role models for the sports state of NRW"
"With the NRW Sports Foundation Scholarship, we are supporting the scholarship holders in advancing their top sporting careers while at the same time mastering their academic education. The scholarship holders are role models in and outside of sport and people who represent the achievements of the sports state of North Rhine-Westphalia," said Milz. With a view to the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, she added: "We already have outstanding sports facilities in our region. Now it is a matter of organising the framework conditions and "putting all these pearls on a string".
Niklas Börger. ©Andrea Bowinkelmann
Niklas Börger: "The Games will be loud, colourful and full of entertaining atmosphere"
At the ceremony, Niklas Börger, CEO of Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games gGmbH, presented next year's biggest multi-sport event worldwide. "The Games will be loud, colourful and full of entertaining atmosphere.” The event, which will take place in Bochum, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Essen and Mülheim an der Ruhr, is expected to attract 10,000 athletes and officials from around 170 countries.
Finally, Börger also commented on the work of the Sportstiftung NRW: "It is inspiring to see how the Sportstiftung NRW brings together all those who make up the sports state of NRW. The successful athletes, the politicians, and the economic institutions. Next year, we will need all these parties to turn the FISU World University Games not only into a great sporting event, but also into an international celebration that shows that North Rhine-Westphalia is the ideal host for the world's biggest sporting event in 2025".