The Brazilian University sports calendar has been re-shaped for 2021 because of COVID-19 concerns ©CBDU

Brazilian university sports competitions will have a new calendar and format in 2021 that will seek to minimise health risks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Confederação Brasileira do Desporto Universitario (CBDU) announced it would be re-shaping the programme that has been in place since 2018.

This has involved each of the 27 State University Federations (FUEs) organising events before the next step of five regional conferences, with a culmination of nationwide finals.

"For 2021, after an atypical year of a global pandemic and subsequent cancellation of all its events, CBDU has restructured its competition calendar and opted for a direct performance format for 36 sports," the release said.

"In this new format, the Brazilian University Games (JUBs) return to the format in which representatives of the 27 State University Federations compete together in one event, scheduled for November.

"The competition will be organised in academics as well as the following sports - athletics, badminton, basketball, futsal, handball, judo, karate, swimming, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, volleyball and chess.

Brazilian university sportsmen and women will have a more compact and safer competition format for 2021 ©FISU
Brazilian university sportsmen and women will have a more compact and safer competition format for 2021 ©FISU

"In addition to this event, another three major events are planned for the 2021 calendar.

"The JUBs eSports competition will make a return, promising to bring together the best university gamers in Brazil in an exciting face-to-face final in six modalities: LoL, FIFA, Clash Royale, Poker, CS Go and Free Fire.

"The JUBs Praia event will take place with competitions in beach soccer, beach handball, footvolley, beach tennis, beach wrestling, beach volleyball, air badminton, 3x3 basketball and CrossFit.

"And for the first time ever in the history of CBDU, JUBs Atléticas will be held, with 10 sports as well as a university band challenge.

"CBDU hopes that in this new format, the calendar will allow 360° integration of all Brazilian states and offer a complete experience for all participants in the competition, from athletes to the coaching staff.

"The plans are cautiously optimistic, as all events remain subject to the COVID-19 pandemic scenario."

In 2019 the 67th edition of the Brazilian University Games was held, bringing together more than 7,000 participants from all over Brazil.

The JUBs is now the largest university sports competition in Latin America.