Lia Taha Cheng
The Manager, International leads major planning and execution of all mission operations for the Summer and Winter Universiades. This role develops and controls the budgets for international programs and manages international representation to FISU committees and events. It is the responsibility of the Manager to maximize the opportunity for Canadian post-secondary students and coaches to participate in international events by working with Sport Canada, National Sport Organizations, Multi Sport Organizations, Medical Expert Groups, Canadian Interuniversity Sport and CCAA member institutions and other nations.
Lia joined U SPORTS in April 2013 as a University of Ottawa Masters student intern. Following her role as an intern, Lia was appointed as the part-time International Programs Coordinator where she coordinated all Team Canada mission operations for the 2013 Summer Universiade in Kazan, Russia and the 2013 Winter Universiade in Trentino, Italy. Lia took over as the acting Manager of Sport and International programs in the spring of 2015 and led the delivery of Team Canada’s participation in both the 2015 Winter Universiade in Granada, Spain and the 2015 Summer Universiade in Gwangju, South Korea.
Lia graduated from the University of Ottawa with an Honours Bachelor of Science with specialization in Human Kinetics. She continued her studies at the University of Ottawa and completed her Baccalaureate in Education, Intermediate/Senior, Physical Education and Biology immediately followed by her Master of Human Kinetics with concentration in Sport Management. Her interests lie in sport management, logistics and administration of international events. Lia currently lives in Toronto and enjoys soccer, skiing and traveling.