The World Debate Championship™ is India’s first and largest structured inter-school debate tournament, created to offer students an experience that mirrors the depth, seriousness, and integrity of leading global debate championships.
The Tournament is academically governed by the Harvard Debate Council, the international leader in debate education and global student enrichment, and is hosted by Amity, one of India’s most respected educational institutions.
This ensures that students experience international-grade debate pedagogy while competing in an Indian inter-school context.
Why Participate in the
World Debate Championship?
The World Debate Championship 2026 – Delhi Edition offers students a structured opportunity to experience high-level academic debate and compete with motivated peers from leading schools.
Harvard Debate Council
The Harvard Debate Championship ensures internationally benchmarked standards in debate structure, adjudication, and competitive governance.
Participants experience a debate environment aligned with global academic debate practices.
A Tier B International Debate Tournament
The Championship is positioned as a Tier B tournament, designed for students preparing to compete in elite debate circuits.
Tier B tournaments provide a serious competitive environment where students refine strategy, argumentation, and debate discipline before entering top-tier global competitions.
Certification Recognised by Leading Universities
Delegates receive certification under the Harvard Debate Council academic framework, reflecting participation in a rigorous academic debate competition.
Debate is widely recognised by universities as an activity that develops critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and persuasive communication.
Pathway to International Debate Opportunities
Top-performing delegates may receive merit-based invitations to the Dubai International Edition of the Championship, providing an opportunity to compete with students from multiple countries and expand their debate experience internationally.
Why Should You Participate?
The tournament offers schools a rare opportunity to place their students on a nationally recognised, academically rigorous platform that prioritises thinking, ethics, and articulation over theatrics.
Schools participate in a championship that:
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Upholds international debate standards adapted for Indian schools
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Ensures fair play through transparent judging and tabulation
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Reflects positively on institutional academic culture and student leadership
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Exposes students to structured argumentation, collaboration, and critical reasoning
Participation signals a school’s commitment to intellectual excellence, civic discourse, and future-ready skills
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For students, the tournament is not just a competition — it is an academic milestone.
Students gain:
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Experience debating under global-standard formats and motions
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Feedback from trained and calibrated adjudicators
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Exposure to high-pressure, high-quality rounds that build confidence and clarity
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Recognition for excellence in reasoning, speech, teamwork, and leadership
The Tournament is designed to challenge students intellectually while nurturing ethical argumentation, listening skills, and respect for diverse viewpoints.
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Pathway to the Global Stage — Dubai Edition
Select top-performing teams and individual speakers from the India Schools Edition will be invited to represent their schools at the World Schools Edition of the tournament, to be held in Dubai in August.
The Dubai edition brings together:
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Outstanding students from India and international schools
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Advanced competitive rounds under the same academic framework
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A truly global debating environment that broadens perspective and ambition
Selection is based on merit, performance, and academic integrity, as determined by Ivy Spires’ tabulation and adjudication systems.
Championship Details
Deadline 24th April
All registration requirements must be completed by the official deadlines published by the organisers.
This includes:
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Full payment of participation fees
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Complete delegate information for all registered participants
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Chaperone and supervision details (for institutional delegations)
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Final confirmation of event entries by division and competition format
Registration will be considered formally confirmed only after all required documentation and payment have been received and verified by the organisers.
Incomplete registrations may not be scheduled in the tournament.
Primary & Secondary School Contact Information
Each participating school must designate two authorised adult contacts for official tournament communication.
Primary Institutional Contact
Schools must provide:
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Name
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Designation / Role
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Email address
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Mobile phone number
This contact will serve as the primary liaison with the tournament organisers.
Secondary Emergency Contact
Schools must also provide a secondary contact for contingency communication:
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Name
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Email address
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Mobile phone number
Communication Protocol
These designated contacts will serve as the official communication channel between the school and the tournament organisers.
Communication may include:
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Before the tournament
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registration verification
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schedule updates
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documentation confirmation
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logistical coordination
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During the tournament
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operational announcements
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urgent communication
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delegate welfare matters
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emergency coordination if required
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Schools are responsible for ensuring that both contacts remain reachable for the full duration of the tournament.
Coach & School Recognition
During registration, schools will be asked to provide the names of official coaches or debate coordinators associated with their delegation.
These names may be used for:
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formal acknowledgement during the Awards Ceremony
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institutional recognition in official tournament records and communications
Only individuals formally designated by the school during registration will be recognised in this capacity.
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Eligibility & Institutional Participation
Delegate Eligibility
Delegates must be enrolled in Grades 5–12 (or equivalent international levels) during the 2025–2026 academic year and must compete within the appropriate tournament division:
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Junior Division: Grades 5–7
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Senior Division: Grades 8–12
There is no prior qualification requirement. The Championship is designed as an open academic debate tournament for school-aged participants.
School-Based Participation
Delegates may participate through one of two recognised pathways:
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Institutional Registration (School Delegation)
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Delegates are formally registered by their school and compete as part of an official school delegation.
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Individual Team Registration
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Delegates whose schools are not participating institutionally may register independently through the Individual Participation pathway.
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Supervision and safeguarding requirements for this pathway are outlined in the Individual Registration Rules & Regulations document.
Institutional Certification (School Delegations)
For Institutional Registration, the school’s authorised representative or coach certifies that:
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Each registered delegate is a current student of the institution.
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Delegates will remain under the supervision of an authorised adult (coach or school-appointed chaperone) during the tournament.
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The supervising adult has been formally authorised by the school.
Schools must maintain appropriate documentation relating to student eligibility, parental consent, and supervision arrangements.
Any misrepresentation of eligibility or supervision may result in:
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Disqualification of individual delegates, or
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Removal of the school’s entries from the tournament.
External Debate Training & Clubs
Delegates who train through external debate academies, clubs, or coaching programmes remain eligible to participate.
However, participation must still occur through one of the recognised pathways:
Institutional Registration through the delegate’s school, or
Individual Team Registration under the independent participation framework.
External organisations may prepare students, but they cannot be listed as the official registering institution.
Recognition of Diverse Schooling Models
Participation is open to students enrolled in:
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Accredited public and private schools
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International curriculum schools (IB, Cambridge, and equivalent programmes)
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State-recognised homeschool or virtual schooling programmes
All participants must remain under appropriate adult supervision and safeguarding structures consistent with school-age academic events.
Educational Purpose of the Championship
The World Debate Championship supports the development of speech, debate, and civic discourse education within school communities.
The tournament is designed to encourage structured intellectual engagement among students across:
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Middle school
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High school
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National and international education systems
Participation reflects a commitment to academically governed debate education and structured competitive discourse.
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Events, Entry Limits, Entry Requirements
Format & Venue
All rounds of the Championship will be conducted live and in person at Amity University, Noida.
The tournament will offer the following competitive events:-
World Schools Debate (WSD) — a three-speaker team debate format used widely in international school debate competitions.
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Original Oratory — an individual public speaking event in which delegates deliver an original persuasive speech.
No additional competitive events will be conducted as part of the Delhi Edition.
Official motions, format guidelines, and tournament procedures will be published through:
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www.ivyspires.com
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the official Tabroom tournament page
Delegates, coaches, and schools are responsible for reviewing these materials prior to the tournament.
Minimum Entry Requirement
The organisers reserve the right to cancel or consolidate an event if fewer than 25 entries are registered in that category.
Schools will be informed promptly if such an adjustment becomes necessary.
Entry Limits
Each participating school may enter up to 10 entries per event, subject to overall tournament capacity.
Registration for an event may close before the official registration deadline if maximum capacity is reached.
Participation rules:
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Delegates may compete in only one World Schools Debate team.
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Delegates may also participate in Original Oratory, provided scheduling allows.
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Delegates may not represent more than one institution.
Entry Requirements
Delegate Information & Confirmation
Schools must ensure that:
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All delegate information is accurately submitted during registration.
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Delegates are entered in the correct division (Junior or Senior).
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Final entries are confirmed before the official roster submission deadline.
Parental Consent & Participation Forms
Schools are responsible for obtaining signed parental consent and participation forms for each delegate before the first day of the tournament.
These forms do not need to be uploaded during registration.
However:
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Schools must retain these documents until 31 December 2026.
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Tournament officials may request verification before, during, or immediately after the event.
Failure to produce required documentation upon request may result in disqualification of the affected entries.
School Certification & Supervision Agreement
By completing registration, the authorised school representative certifies that:
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Each delegate entered under the school’s name is a current student of the institution.
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Delegates will remain under the supervision of an authorised adult (coach or school-appointed chaperone) throughout travel, accommodation (if applicable), and tournament participation.
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The supervising adult has been formally authorised by the school.
No additional documentation is required at the time of registration.
However, any misrepresentation of eligibility or supervision may result in:
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disqualification of individual delegates, and/or
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removal of the school’s entries from the tournament.
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Fees, Payments Instructions, Refunds
Participation fees are determined by event type and residential status.
Residential Delegates
(2 nights accommodation with meals)
World Schools Debate (WSD)
₹42,000 + GST per delegate
Original Oratory
₹37,000 + GST per delegate
Day Scholars
(Non-residential participation)
World Schools Debate (WSD)
₹36,000 + GST per delegate
Original Oratory
₹31,000 + GST per delegate
What the Participation Fee Includes
The participation fee covers:
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Academic participation in the Championship
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Professional adjudication and tournament tabulation
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Official tournament materials and certification
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Lunch and scheduled refreshments during tournament hours
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Participation in the Saturday Evening Musical Programme
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Residential accommodation and meals (for residential delegates
What the Fee Does Not Include
The participation fee does not include:
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Travel to and from the venue
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Airport transfers or local transportation
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Medical or travel insurance
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Personal expenses
Schools and families are responsible for arranging these independently.
School Financial Commitment
Registration is considered formally confirmed only after full payment has been received by the official payment deadline communicated by the organisers.
Due to limited tournament capacity and advance logistical commitments, schools are strongly advised to complete payment well before the deadline.
Payment Methods
Payment may be completed through:
1. Bank Transfer
Institutional transfer to the account specified on the official invoice.
2. Online Payment
Secure online payment link provided upon registration confirmation.
A GST-compliant invoice will be issued for all confirmed registrations.
Refund Policy
Due to advance commitments for venue, accommodation, catering, and tournament operations, the following policy applies:
Withdrawal on or before the official registration deadline
Full refund minus an administrative fee of ₹3,000 per delegate.
Withdrawal after the registration deadline
No refund.
Non-attendance during the tournament
No refund.
Registration Changes & Substitutions
Schools may request delegate substitutions within the same division and event before the official roster freeze date, subject to organiser approval.
Substitutions are intended to allow replacement of participants when necessary and do not constitute cancellation of registration.
Financial Governance
All financial policies are designed to ensure:
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transparency for participating schools and families
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responsible financial management of a large residential academic event
Participation in the World Debate Championship therefore constitutes acceptance of the published fee structure, payment deadlines, and refund policy.
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Residential Accomodations
Residential accommodation for out-of-city delegates will be provided within designated on-campus facilities at Amity University, offering a secure and supervised environment appropriate for school-aged participants.
Accommodation will be organised in separate residential blocks for boys and girls. Authorised adult chaperones or school representatives will be housed in proximity to their delegates to support appropriate supervision.
Campus security, access control, and residential monitoring will operate in coordination with university safety protocols for residential academic events involving minors.
Delegates may only access residential accommodation if they are registered under the Residential Scholar track and are accompanied by an authorised supervising adult.
Residential Schedule
Residential participation covers a two-night stay aligned with the official tournament schedule:
Check-in: 1 May
Check-out: 3 May
Detailed check-in procedures and room allocations will be communicated to participating schools prior to arrival.
Meals & Refreshments
Meals and refreshments for the tournament will be coordinated through the university’s catering services, following appropriate standards of hygiene and food safety.
Residential Scholars Receive
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Breakfast and dinner on residential days
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Lunch during tournament hours
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Scheduled refreshments between rounds
Day Scholars Receive
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Lunch during tournament hours
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Scheduled refreshments between rounds
Dietary Requirements
Schools will be requested to declare dietary restrictions, allergies, or medical food requirements during registration so that reasonable accommodations can be arranged where possible.
While the organisers will work with campus catering services to address declared needs, specialised or medically customised diets cannot be guaranteed unless communicated in advance.
Safeguarding & Wellbeing
Accommodation and dining arrangements are designed to support:
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appropriate adult supervision
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student safety and wellbeing
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adequate rest and nutrition during a multi-day academic competition
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a respectful residential environment consistent with inter-school event standards
These measures ensure that the Championship remains academically rigorous, operationally secure, and appropriate for middle and high school delegates participating in a residential academic event.
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Overview: Safety & Student Wellbeing
Safety, Security & Wellbeing
The safety and wellbeing of all delegates, educators, and guests are central to the operation of the Championship. Appropriate security, supervision, and operational protocols will be implemented to ensure a safe and professionally managed academic environment throughout the tournament.
The Championship will take place within designated facilities at Amity University, operating under established campus safety and access-control systems.
Security Coordination & Emergency Preparedness
Tournament operations are coordinated in collaboration with:
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Amity University campus security personnel
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Local emergency response services (police, fire, and medical authorities)
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On-site medical and first-response staff
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Designated tournament operations officials
Emergency response procedures are in place to address situations including:
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medical incidents
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fire safety protocols
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weather-related contingencies
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campus evacuation procedures
Security and operational personnel will remain present within designated tournament venues throughout the event.
On-Site Medical Support
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Basic medical assistance will be available during official tournament hours.
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Participating schools must declare relevant medical conditions, allergies, or medication requirements during registration.
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Delegates requiring medication must remain under the supervision of their authorised adult chaperone.
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Any medical costs incurred during treatment remain the responsibility of the participating school or parent/guardian.
Identification & Access Control
To maintain secure access to tournament venues:
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All delegates and authorised adults will receive official tournament accreditation during registration.
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ID badges must be worn visibly within tournament areas.
Access to debate rooms, auditoriums, and residential facilities will be limited to:
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registered delegates
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authorised school chaperones
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accredited adjudicators
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tournament officials
Unauthorised individuals will not be permitted in restricted areas.
Venue Access Procedures
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Entry to tournament venues will occur through designated access points in accordance with campus regulations.
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Participants and guests may be subject to security screening where required.
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Attendees are advised to arrive early to allow sufficient time for venue entry procedures.
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Failure to comply with access or security protocols may result in denial of entry to restricted areas.
Prohibited Items
The following items are prohibited within tournament and residential areas:
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weapons of any kind
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illegal substances
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alcohol, tobacco, or vaping products
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any item deemed unsafe by campus security
Violation of these rules may result in removal from the tournament and referral to the supervising institution.
Supervision & Duty of Care
Participating schools retain primary responsibility for the supervision of their delegates.
Schools must:
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maintain a minimum supervision ratio of one authorised adult per 15 delegates
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ensure delegates remain supervised during travel, residential stay (if applicable), and non-competition hours
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ensure compliance with campus regulations and tournament conduct guidelines
The organising team oversees academic programming and tournament operations. Safeguarding responsibilities remain shared between organisers and participating institutions.
Code of Conduct
All delegates are expected to:
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follow tournament rules and procedures
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treat competitors, judges, and staff with respect
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comply with campus regulations and applicable laws
Serious breaches of conduct may result in disciplinary action, including removal from the competition.
Communication & Emergency Updates
Operational updates and announcements during the tournament will be communicated through:
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designated school contact persons
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official announcements at tournament venues
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official tournament communication channels
Schools must ensure that their primary and secondary contacts remain reachable at all times during the event.
Safety Communication
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The organisers remain committed to transparent communication regarding safety procedures.
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Any operational or venue-related updates will be shared with registered schools in advance of the tournament.
For safety-related queries, schools may contact:
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Tentative Schedule
Tournament Schedule
Day 1 — Friday, 1 May
Arrival, Orientation & Opening Rounds
Morning | Registration & Accreditation
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School arrival and supervised campus entry
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Verification of delegate attendance and chaperone details
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Distribution of:
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ID badges and delegate kits
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Residential room allocations (where applicable)
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Tournament schedule and information materials
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Late Morning | Opening Ceremony & Academic Briefing
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Welcome address by host representatives
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Overview of the Championship structure and competition formats
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Briefing on judging standards, tournament procedures, and conduct expectations
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Review of campus safety and supervision guidelines
Afternoon | Preliminary Rounds 1 & 2
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Opening competitive rounds for debate teams and oratory participants
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Formal adjudication with written ballots and scoring
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Delegates rotate between debate rooms under tournament supervision
Evening | Residential Settlement
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Residential check-in and room confirmation
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Supervised dinner for residential delegates
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Curfew and residential supervision in accordance with tournament guidelines
Purpose of Day 1
Orientation, operational setup, and the start of competitive rounds.
Day 2 — Saturday, 2 May
Preliminary Competition & Quarter-Finals
Morning | Preliminary Rounds 3 & 4
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Continuation of adjudicated debate rounds across divisions and events
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Ballot submission and centralised tabulation
Midday | Lunch Break
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Lunch and scheduled refreshments for all delegates
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Supervised interaction within designated campus areas
Afternoon | Preliminary Round 5
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Final preliminary round for all teams and speakers
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Completion of preliminary competition cycle
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Final tabulation and ranking verification
Late Afternoon | Quarter-Finals
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Announcement of teams advancing to elimination rounds
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Quarter-Final debates conducted for qualifying teams
Evening | Saturday Evening Musical Programme
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A structured cultural programme designed to encourage inter-school interaction
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Conducted within designated campus venues under adult supervision
Residential delegates return to accommodation following the programme and observe curfew.
Purpose of Day 2
Completion of preliminary rounds and advancement of top teams to elimination stages.
Day 3 — Sunday, 3 May
Semi-Finals, Grand Finals & Closing Ceremony
Morning | Semi-Finals
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Elimination debates conducted before senior adjudication panels
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Deliberation by judges to determine finalists
Late Morning | Grand Finals
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Championship finals in each division and event
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Formal adjudication and confirmation of results
Early Afternoon | Awards Ceremony
Presentation of:
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participation certificates
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finalist and champion awards
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special recognitions where applicable
Announcement of merit-based invitations to the Dubai International Edition (August).
Departure | Residential Check-Out
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Residential check-out and departure of delegations
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Supervised campus exit for all participants
The tournament concludes by approximately 4:00 PM to enable same-day travel.
Purpose of Day 3
Recognise achievement, celebrate excellence, and formally conclude the Championship.-
