Announced by the German University Sports Federation (adh), the decision was made in close consultation with its institutional partners, the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community, and the State Chancellery of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Kürten took the position on November 1.

Jörg Förster, adh Board chairman, presented the Organising Committee's general plans for the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Games during the 37th FISU General Assembly, before Kürten's appointment.

"I would like to contribute to hosting major sporting events in Germany," Kürten said. 

"This has always been a matter close to my heart, as I see sport as part of our German and European culture. 

"Accordingly, it is important to me to have an impact on society through the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games and to develop an innovative and sustainable format of a major sporting event. 

"When this challenge is implemented in close cooperation with students and universities, the task is even more appealing. 

"It is a particular pleasure for me to take responsibility for a leading multi-sport event at several locations in my home state of North Rhine-Westphalia and to shape the process together with the institutional partners at international, national and regional level."

Förster added: "With Stefan Kürten, we were able to win an experienced leader from the field of national and international media sports exploitation as CEO of the Organising Committee of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Games. 

"Thus, we have the best prerequisites for the successful conception, implementation and perception of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany.

"adh and its institutional partners are looking forward to the cooperation."