It is the second major television deal announced by FISU this week having secured a deal on Wednesday (June 26) with sports network ESPN to broadcast the Summer Universiade in Kazan live in the United States for the first time.

The ABU has 200 members in 57 countries and regions, reaching a potential audience estimated at three billion people.

"In a continuous effort to help the ABU members to acquire the most wanted and prestigious events in the world, ABU is very delighted to announce to its members and partners that we have been granted the television rights and non-exclusive internet and mobile rights of the 27th Summer Universiade and the 26th Winter Universiade for the majority of ABU Sport Group members," said Javad Mottaghi, secretary general of the ABU.

"FISU, the events organising body and rights owner, except for individual dealing with several Asian countries, has granted the rights collectively for the first time to ABU, with a high sense and trust that ABU, with its strong membership and broadcast service background, will contribute enormously for a successful coverage among its member countries."

The Summer Universiade in Kazan is due to open on July 6, and will last until July 17, while the Winter Universiade in Trentino, Italy, are scheduled to be held between December 11 and 21.


"As a broadcaster, I have all the reasons to believe that the lively and long standing youthful values presented by the Universiade, will be shared by FISU and ABU, along with its members, in a long future relation and cooperation between both parties," said Mottaghi.

FISU is establishing a strong portfolio of broadcasters having agreed a deal last year with Eurosport to broadcast the next six editions of the Universiade, including showing 120 hours of live action from Kazan.

The deal with the ABU is particularly significant because the next two editions of the Summer Universiade are both due to be held in Asia, Gwangju in 2015 and Tapei in 2017.

"I am extremely pleased that ABU will also bring the FISU flagship event to the homes of our Asian student-athletes, their family and friends," said Claude-Louis Gallien, the FISU President.

"Like FISU, which strives for excellence on campus and on the sports field, ABU brings its quality coverage and story-telling to the Asian audiences.

"I am confident that with the help of ABU, the International University Sport Movement will continue to grow in popularity on the Asian continent."

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