10th anniversary of Slovenian University Sports Association
The celebration was held at the University of Maribor, and was attended by over 100 prominent guests from Slovenia and abroad, including Mr. Marian Dymalski (POL) – FISU Executive Committee Member, Mr. SiniÅ¡a Jasnić (SRB) - FISU Executive Committee Member, Mr. Alberto Gualtieri (ITA) - EUSA President, Mr. Rafael Gil Salinas (ESP) – EUSA Executive Committee Member, Mr. Adam Roczek (POL) - EUSA Executive Committee Member, Mr. Wolf Frühauf (AUT) - EUSA Executive Committee Member, Mr. Olaf Tabor – Secretary General ADH, Mr. Andreas Csonka – Vice President SHSV, Mrs. Johanna St. Clair Renard – President SAIF, Mr. Božidar Pučnik (SLO) Member the FISU Commission for the Study of the University Sport, and many others.
The celebration immediately followed the attribution of the honorary doctorate to Mr George E Killian given to him by the Rector of the University of Maribor.
The ceremony started with the speech by the President of Slovenian University Sports Association prof. dr. Otmar Kugovnik, and the general presentation of the history of the association given by the Secretary General Mr Matjaž Pečovnik, and a special spotlight was given to the bid for the organisation of the 25th Winter Universiade in Maribor.
At this special occasion, special recognitions were awarded:
- Best student sport team: female basketball team of the University of Ljubljana
- Best female student athlete: Andreja Potisk-Ribič
- Best male student athlete: dr. Franci Petek
- Partner recognition: Slovenian Student Union, University of Ljubljana, University of Maribor, University of Primorska
- Sponsor recognition: Askot, Studio Narobe
- Associate recognition: prof. Peter Sitar, Aleš Smrekar
- Special recognitions: Boris Sovič, dr. SiniÅ¡a Jasnić, George E. Killian
The celebration was accompanied by the Slovene-English bilingual sketches done by students of the University of Maribor. A variety of delicious meals and local specialties was served after the official part of the event and guests could enjoy the pleasant atmosphere in the university headquarters. Everybody also received a symbolic gift - a set of golf balls, announcing the plan of SUSA to organise one of the next World University Golf Championship.
HISTORY AND ORGANISATION OF SUSA
Slovenian University Sports Association - SUSA was established in 1997. The beginnings reach back to 1993, when some of our current activities were carried out under the Slovenian student university organisation.
SUSA currently has three members:
- University sport association of Ljubljana UÅ ZL
- University sport association of Maribor UÅ ZM
- University sport association of Primorska UÅ ZP
SUSA is the member of the following organisations:
- International University Sport Federation FISU (since 1997)
- European University Sports Association EUSA (since 1999)
- Olympic Committee of Slovenia OKS (since 2000)
Our activities, in relationship with the previously mentioned organisations:
- FISU: Universiades, world university championships
- EUSA: European universities championships and cups
- SUSA: National university championships and leagues
- UÅ ZL, UÅ ZM, UÅ ZP: Zdrava zabava (Healthy fun): recreation, sports-educational courses, mass events, student competitions, championships and leagues in the university centres
PARTICIPATION AND RESULTS
Slovenia has been present at the following Summer Universiades:
1993 BUFFALO / USA
1995 FUKUOKA / JPN
1997 SICILIJA / ITA
1999 PALMA / ESP
2001 PEKING / CHN
2003 DAEGU / KOR
2005 IZMIR / TUR
Little under 400 Slovenian student athletes have won 10 medals in the last 7 Summer Universiades: 2 gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze.
We have also participated in the following Winter Universiades:
1995 JACA / ESP
1997 MUJU CHONJU / KOR
1999 POPRAD / SVK
2001 ZAKOPANE / POL
2003 TARVISIO / ITA
2005 INNSBRUCK / AUT
In the last 6 Winter Universiades where over 350 Slovenian athletes have participated in, they won 54 medals altogether, with 19 golds, 20 silvers, and 15 bronzes.
Over 300 Slovenian student athletes participated in 54 World University Championships in several sports, and have won 10 medals altogether.
Slovenia is also very successful in European Universities Championships, as our students have participated in 22 out of 33 championships organised, winning 21 medals. University of Ljubljana was in particular named the most successful European university in the year 2004-05.
EVENT ORGANISATION
Already organised events:
2nd European University Basketball Championship – Koper 2002
3rd European University Volleyball Championship – Maribor 2003
5th EUSA General Assembly – Ljubljana 2003
2nd European University Beach-Volleyball Championship – Portorož/Portorose 2005
16th World University Table Tennis Championship – Maribor 2006
Attributed upcoming events:
2007: European Universities Futsal Championship - Koper
2008: World University Futsal Championship - Koper
Bids and plans:
2009: European Universities Tennis/Volleyball Championship
2010: World University Championship
2011: Winter Universiade
Additional information about SUSA can be obtained at http://www.susa.org.