Graphic by Gazelle Multimedia Team/The Gazelle

On Feb. 7, the men and women’s basketball and football teams at NYU Abu Dhabi were informed of an upcoming international sports tournament, taking place in April in Milan, Italy. NYUAD announced to partially fund eight members of each team, however, the Athletics Department decided that seniors in the teams will not be allowed to participate.

The decision has been met with some angst against Athletics. According to the players, the reason for the prohibition is to sustain team development by focusing on returning students rather than departing seniors.

“For me, it’s not even about Milan or a trip.” said senior and captain of the basketball team, Hussein Karzoumi. “But the fact that [Athletics] would turn their backs on us like this after four years of hard work and dedication and commitment to our teams and the program is really shocking to me and the rest of the guys.”

Some players expressed the sentiment that the decision represents the notion that a student athlete’s value to the department is solely determined by his or her ability to participate in future performances.

“The administrative decision to exclude seniors from this spring's Athletics trip to Milan should bring worry to all current and future NYUAD student-athletes,” said freshman and basketball team player Liam Meier. “This decision represents a commodification of the athlete in this school.”

Meier also said that the new outlook makes the team seem like a collection of individuals rather than a team.

“By not rewarding commitment to the program, the department fails to bring the inspiration necessary for athletes to give years of their work and time to their team,” said Meier.

As a response, students were invited to stand in support of the senior athletes on Feb. 10 at the men’s basketball team’s games. As a sign of solidarity, students, including some of the athletes, wore their NYUAD gear inside out and carried posters voicing their support.

“I was motivated to participate in the Milangate demonstration at the game because this isn't the first time I've felt like administration or departments are just waiting for the Sama classes — at this point seniors and juniors — to graduate so that the new curricula or policies can be totally implemented without us stragglers making things difficult,” said senior Jules Bello, who was in attendance.

However, while the basketball team has been vocal about its opposition to the new policy, football players did not participate in the demonstration.

“For the football game, team members wore their kits the normal way around,” said sophomore and football team member Nikolaj Nielsen.