YOU.FO: the new sport in town

A ring-throwing stick-and-catch field sport, born thousands of miles away in Netherlands as late as 2012 and still obscure, is being played by the teachers at American International School in Chennai. And now students of a city college are at it.

Students of Sri Kanyaka Parameswari Arts and Science College for Women got introduced to the new sport recently. YOU.FO, as the sport is called, is a mixed-gender, non-contact sport played by throwing an aerodynamic ring with specially designed sticks. Combining the features of lacrosse and ultimate frisbee, the sport can be played on the beach sands, playground or any open space measuring 10 by 30 metres.

Cyril Veronis, media and production specialist at American International School, is the ambassador of this sport in India. He got fascinated with this innovative sport. “Most Wednesdays, we teachers would play this sport that was introduced to us by Giovanni Bello, former aquatics director, who had picked it up from the founders directly,” says Cyril.

Cyril Veronis (centre) is the India lead for YOU.FO. With the team that took part in the world cup in 2025

The fitness enthusiast who plays soccer and is regular with every marathon loved YOU.FO for the adrenaline rush it brought.

“Something struck me about this sport. May be the speed as I have taken part in at least 50 marathons so far and the 10-minute format was easy and fun,” says Cyril who is in his late 20s.

He began researching and developed a keen interest in the game, following which Giovanni connected him to the founders. Today, Cyril is playing the role of ambassador and India lead to promote the sport.

“Curious how the game is played competitively, I enrolled for the World Cup last year under the mixed nationality team. This time, the World Cup is scheduled to be held in China in July 2026 and I am keen that India take part in it. The best part is that the sport can be played with a minimum team size of three and multiple teams can represent a country,” says Cyril, who studied mechanical engineering before stints in information technology and graphic designing.

In January, he conducted a boot camp along with a running club at Ampa Skywalk to promote the sport. “My focus is in targetting schools and colleges as this sport was developed in co-creation with PE teachers and students, so that we can have multiple teams by the time this sport becomes a part of the Olympics,” he says.

The equipment including the ring and the sticks are manufactured in Meerut and Cyril is working to see how these kits can be made more affordable for all.

As when frisbee was in its early years, YOU.FO needs sponsors and above all a team that will compete in the real spirit of the sport.

Until then Cyril is happy to be invited to other institutions to introduce the game and its techniques and find like-minded students keen on taking up the sport. “It is a growing game and the organisers have been tweaking it to make it more acceptable for all age groups,” says Cyril, a resident of Choolaimedu.