EUSA Executive Committee Meeting

The Executive Committee Meeting of the European University Sports Association 01-2010, hosted by the Lithuanian Students’ Sports Association (LSSA) took place in Vilnius, Lithuania on March 19 and 20, 2010. The delegates were greeted by several authorities. Before the meeting officially started, a reception at the Presidential Palace was organised, where they were met by the Chief Adviser to the President for Education, Science, Culture and Non-Governmental Organisations, Mrs. Virginija Budiene. During an informal discussion, several topics were touched upon, mainly considering sport in the framework of education, especially on university level.

Mr. Gualtieri & Mrs. Virginija BudieneAfter the reception at the Presidential Palace, the EUSA EC meeting started. At the meeting, the EC members got acquainted with the current developments, finances and activities report, also discussing other strategic topics related to University Sport in Europe. As a conclusion, several important decisions were taken, including the election of the members of EUSA Student Commission, awarding and confirming European Universities Championships in 2011.

On the second day of the meeting, the emphasis was on International cooperation and relations with the International University Sports Federation (FISU), other continental university sport federations, European institutions and other partners. EUSA Executive Committee members were also welcomed by Mr. Gintaras Steponavicius, the Lithuanian Minister of Education and Science. Apart from finishing the items on the agenda of the meeting, March 20, 2010 will have a special meaning for the European University Sport, as the First European Universities Games, to be held in 2012 were attributed.

The bidding cities – Lisbon (POR), Córdoba (ESP) and Lodz (POL) in details presented their candidatures to EUSA EC members. The idea of hosting a multi-sport university event in 2012, bringing together European university teams from several sports at the same time was very appealing for all candidates, which all presented excellent bids. Due to the high interest, the possibility of increasing the predicted 5 sports was discussed. The Games could therefore offer the participation of students, competing in up to 10 sports.

The European Universities Games in 2012 will be organised in Córdoba, Spain. On behalf of the Bidding Committee, Mr. José Manuel Roldán Nogueras, the Rector of the University of Córdoba expressed thanks for the entrusted organisation of the Games, and expressed his strong belief that the European Universities Games in Córdoba will be very successful. Mr. Gualtieri congratulated the winners on behalf the EUSA EC, and thanked the other two bidding committees for the excellent bids.

After the meeting ended, the EUSA EC members and representatives of the bidding committees enjoyed the sightseeing tour of Vilnius. As a conclusion of the EUSA EC Meeting in Vilnius, a formal joint dinner was organised, with several prominent guests from Lithuania, including Ritas Vaiginas, General Director of the Department of Physical Education and Sports; Algimantas Gudiskis, representative of the Lithuanian Olympic Committee; Povilas Karoblis, President of Lithuanian Olympic Academy; Romualdas Ginevicius, President of Lithuanian Rectors Conference; Albertas Skurvydas, Rector of Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education and others.

On behalf of EUSA Mr. Gualtieri sincerely thanked Mr. Ceslovas Garbaliauskas, the President of the Lithuanian Students’ Sports Association for his hospitality and the excellent organisation of the EUSA EC Meeting in Vilnius. EUSA EC members will next meet in Ljubljana (SLO) on September 24 and 25, 2010.

For more information about the meeting, including an overview of the main decisions, please visit www.eusa.eu.

Source: Andrej Pisl, EUSA Communications