Kvadratas ’25: A Celebration of Student Activity Takes Place at VDU Sports Center

May 30th will go down in history for the Vytautas Magnus University (VDU) sports community – the first-ever dodgeball tournament for school students was held at the President Valdas Adamkus Sports Center. The initiative, aimed at encouraging physical activity and connection between schools, turned into a true celebration of sport and emotion.

The event brought together over 150 students from Lithuanian schools, who formed mixed teams – 6 girls and 6 boys each. The teams competed not only for prizes but also for the chance to test their strength alongside well-known VDU students and figures from the sports world.

More Than a Game – It Was an Experience

Event host Haris Zenkovas said, “I envy these students for having this kind of teenage experience – the opportunity to participate in such a high-level sports event where everything is taken care of and which takes place in such an amazing space as the President Valdas Adamkus Sports Center at VDU.”

From early morning, the atmosphere was filled with sporting enthusiasm – the dodgeball courts were full of energy, while nearby there were music tracks, prizes, souvenirs, and vibrant emotions. Participants wore special colorful jerseys gifted by “Zoop,” and every victory was followed by cheers from supporters and photos with the event’s ambassadors.

Dainius Novickas: “The Real Competitive Spirit Kicked In”

One of the tournament’s highlights was the involvement of VDU ambassadors. Well-known athletes and creators joined the top teams in the finals: Dainius Novickas, Vytenė Beleckė, Aistė Saprončikaitė, and Dovydas Rimkus (Rimkenzo).

3×3 national basketball team coach and tournament ambassador Dainius Novickas not only coached his team but also actively played on the court. His team, “Lygūs, bet nenuobodūs” (translated: “Equal, but Not Boring”) from Kamajai Antanas Strazdas Gymnasium in Rokiškis District, became the champions of the tournament, defeating “Slauna Ripka” from Kupiškis Vocational and Business School, led by Vytenė Beleckė, in the final.

“It was fun to remember how to play dodgeball. The real competitive spirit kicked in. It’s a fantastic game and a great way to stay active. And we didn’t win by accident – the best team always wins,” smiled Novickas, adding yet another distinctive trophy to his collection.

Results: Who Triumphed in the Groups and the Finals

The matches were held in four groups, from which the strongest teams advanced to the final stage:

Group A: Ventukai-2 (Ventos Gymnasium, Akmenė District)
Group B: Slauna Ripka (Kupiškis Vocational and Business School)
Group C: Lygūs, bet nenuobodūs (Kamajai Antanas Strazdas Gymnasium, Rokiškis District)
Group D: Daušk į kitą (President Valdas Adamkus Gymnasium)

In the final, Rokiškis and Kupiškis teams clashed, with Kamajai’s team celebrating victory after an intense match.

Fighting for Glory – and Fantastic Prizes

The motivation to win extended beyond the impressive tournament trophy – sponsors had prepared a wide range of prizes. Kaunas “Žalgiris” ambassador Mantas Kalnietis also joined the event’s activities. A former VDU student and current lecturer, Kalnietis not only congratulated participants but also handed out prizes that delighted both students and their teachers.

The main sponsors and their prizes included:

Hummel – complete sportswear sets for the winners
Kaunas “Žalgiris” – tickets to basketball games
Formosa – branded glassware
VDU – university-branded gifts
Gaidelis – snacks for all participants

“Zoop” ensured that every student left with a jersey to remember the tournament by.

A Celebration That Brought Everyone Together

Teachers expressed their joy openly. Diana Balužytė from Kupiškis Vocational and Business School noted: “It was a pleasure to come to Kaunas and see how professionally this tournament was organized. Beautiful jerseys, great prizes, and a warm atmosphere – everything was done with care and love.”

The VDU community hopes this event will become a new tradition. It was more than just a dodgeball tournament – it was a chance to build long-lasting connections between the university and active, creative youth across Lithuania.