EUSA General Assembly 2016
Wroclaw, Poland: April 7-10, 2016
The European University Sports Association (EUSA) General Assembly 2016 was held between April 8 and 9 within the UNESCO heritage complex Centennial Hall in Wroclaw, Poland.
EUSA General Assembly started with welcome speeches by Mr Adam Roczek, EUSA President, and Mr Marian Dymalski, representing the host – University Sports Association of Poland (AZS). The President of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Mr Oleg Matytsin, outgoing EUSA Vice-President, expressed his satisfaction on the development and growth of the continental federations, giving EUSA as a good example for other continental university sport bodies.
Representatives of the continental university sports bodies from Asia (AUSF) Mr Shen Zhen and also from Africa (FASU) Mrs Penninah Kabenge addressed the participants of the General Assembly.
A special speech was given by Mr Yves Le Lostecque, Head of Sport Unit DG Education and Culture of the European Commission. Mr Le Lostecque recognised the active contributions of EUSA in the current programmes and implementations of activities reflecting policy papers, and goals of the European Commission. EUSA is active not only as a partner in the European Week of Sport, but is also part of the European Commission’s Expert Group on Human Resources Development in Sport (XG HR), in the topic of volunteering. Moreover, EUSA is a reliable partner, involved in several projects supported through the Erasmus+ programme.
This year’s EUSA Assembly was attended by over 200 participants, members of the EUSA Executive Committee, Honorary members, delegates of 38 member federations and representatives of partners’ organisations, including the European Commission, International University Sports Federation (FISU), African and Asian continental University Sports Federations, European Fair Play Movement (EFPM), European Paralympic Committee (EPC), European Union of Sports Press (AIPS Europe), European Chess Union (ECU), European Handball Federation (EHF), International Dance Organisation (IDO), representatives of universities, organisers of EUSA events and other guests.
The Activity Plan and Provisional Budget for 2016-2017 was presented by EUSA President and the Treasurer, with the approval of EUSA member federations delegates. On behalf of Spanish University Sport Committee (CEDU), Camilo Jose Cela University welcomed the participants to the next EUSA General Assembly. In 2018 the EUSA Assembly will be held in the Spanish capital Madrid at the Camilo Jose Cela University, and with this a presentation was given by Mr Aitor Canibe Sanchez, EUSA Executive Committee member.
The last item on the agenda of the outgoing Executive Committee members was the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Sports Journalist Association AIPS Europe, European Union of Sports Press and EUSA.
The President of AIPS Europe Mr Ioannis Daras expressed his satisfaction with the cooperation agreement, noting that neither he nor AIPS are strangers to university sport. EUSA President added that such cooperation is very much appreciated and will be beneficial to both organisations.
Supervised by Mr Thomas Loher, EUSA Legal Advisor, the new EUSA Executive Committee for the next 4-year term was announced. Mr Adam Roczek (POL) was re-elected as the President of the organisation, with Mr Haris Pavletic (CRO) and Mr Kemal Tamer (TUR) as Vice-Presidents. Mr Lorenz Ursprung (SUI) has been elected Treasurer. Newly elected Members of the EUSA Executive Committee are also: Mr Bruno Barracosa (POR), Mr Francis M.M. Cirianni (ITA), Mrs Ivana Ertlova (CZE), Mr Ceslovas Garbaliauskas (LTU), Mr Tarmo Jaakson (EST), Mr Dmitry Kiselev (RUS), Mr Panos Razis (CYP), Mr Aitor Canibe Sanchez (ESP), Mr Jean-Francois Sautereau (FRA), Mr Bill Thompson (GBR) and Mr Milan Zvan (SLO).