Flag presentation ceremony for the Anahuac Lions on their way to the 2025 University Games

Athletes from the North and South campuses pledge to compete with honor, determination and university values. 

Anáhuac Mexico University celebrated the flag presentation ceremony for its sports delegation heading to the 2025 National University Games, which will take place at the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP) from May 27 to June 10. The ceremony brought together the athletes who qualified from the North and South campuses, who were entrusted with representing our university with dignity and commitment.

The ceremony, held in the Rector's Auditorium on the South Campus, was presided over by Dr. Cipriano Sánchez García L.C., rector of the university, accompanied by Fernando Rincón Gallardo Elguero, vice-rector for Integral Formation; Dr. Marco Villalvazo Hernández, director of Sports for the North Campus; and Agustín Marbán Landa, director of Sports for the South Campus.

In his message, Dr. Cipriano symbolically handed the university flag over to the athletes, emphasizing that carrying this symbol means more than simply wearing a uniform. 

"This flag must be carried in your hearts and spirits. You are not just competing for results, but for who you are. Bear witness to the values that shape great leaders and better people,” he said.

He also emphasized that true competition occurs within oneself and that the most important medals, beyond the podium, are found in the personal satisfaction of having given one's best for the team and the community.

As part of the main event, Stefano López Valencia (tennis, North Campus) and Arturo Cacó Martínez Medina (badminton, South Campus) led the oath-taking ceremony. All athletes raised their right hands and solemnly declared, "Yes, I take the oath," committing themselves to consistent training, respect for their teammates and opponents, care for their bodies, minds, and spirits, and representation of the university with integrity under the motto "overcome evil with good."

The Anáhuac Mexico University delegation is made up of athletes from more than 40 disciplines.  

The North Campus will compete in the following sports: chess, athletics, women's 5x5 and 3x3 basketball, men's 3x3 basketball, baseball, sport climbing, fencing, eSports, men's soccer, judo, golf, karate, swimming, paddle tennis, softball, taekwondo, table tennis, triathlon and beach and indoor volleyball.

The South Campus will compete in the following sports: chess, athletics, badminton, men's 5x5 basketball, men's and women's 3x3 basketball, fencing, women's soccer, swimming, paddle tennis, rugby, softball, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, triathlon and men's and women's beach volleyball and fast soccer.

The women's soccer team is one of the most established delegations. They shared their feelings in an interview at the end of the event. Danna Fernanda Gómez said:

"Since starting my degree, I've dreamed of this. It's my first University Games with Anáhuac, and I'm excited. It has been a difficult road, marked by injuries that slowed us down considerably. Maintaining constant effort while balancing university, a social life and sports has not been easy. Sometimes we feel frustrated, sad or exhausted, but when the goal is clear, as it is now, the results come. I am very proud to represent my university.”

María José Ávila Horta is also on the team but will not be able to compete due to injury. She will accompany the team from the sidelines. In this respect, she said: 

"I am very proud of my team. I have shared five years of my college career with them, and finally, we are in a national competition. Although I won't be able to play, I'll be there to support them. I have a lot of confidence in what they can achieve. We've always been a complete team, but sometimes our minds have worked against us. This semester, injuries affected us too, me included, but I know those who are playing have what it takes to go far.”

The event concluded with a university farewell ceremony, a standing ovation for all the qualifying athletes and the traditional official photo on the esplanade. The university community bid them farewell with pride, knowing the Anahuac Lions will compete with courage, brains and heart.