The EUSA Evaluation Commission for European Universities Games 2018 visited Tampere, Finland from March 5-8, 2014. During the first part of the evaluation visit, Mr Matjaz Pecovnik, Secretary General, Mr Patrik Perosa, Sports Manager and Mr Piotr Marszal, Technical Commission Vice Chair firstly met with the Bidding Committee for presentation of the candidature highlights given by Mr Pertu Pessa, Bidding Committee President and his team.

 

 

Afterwards, a visit to the Tampere Exhibition and Sports Centre, which with its four halls, offers a framework of more than 22,500 m² for various sport events. Another sport complex, which was evaluated, was the Tennis Sports Centre, foreseen to host Tennis, Table Tennis and Badminton competition. 

 

 

In the afternoon, the EUSA delegates visited other sport facilities, among them the Football Stadium and Tampere Ice Hall. At the occasion, they had a chance to watch the hockey match in front of the full sports hall with 8000 spectators.

 

 

Accommodation facilities at the Tampere Police College of Finland and as well as the centrally located hotels in the city centre, were seen next. The delegation also visited the University of Tampere, where the main headquarters would be located for the games.

 

 

During the second part of the evaluation, Mr Adam Roczek, EUSA President, Mrs Ivana Ertlova and Mr Ceslovas Garbaliauskas, EC Members made several visits with the authorities and representatives of the Bidding Committee and Finnish Student Sports Association (OLL), who all stressed that the organisation of the European Universities Games would have the significant impact on the further development of the university sports in the country. EUSA representatives met in Tampere Old City Hall with Mrs Anna-Kaisa Ikonen, the Mayor of the City of Tampere, the main partner in the project. 

 

 

The Finnish Student Sports Association (OLL) President, Ms Hanna Huumonen and OLL Secretary General Ms Hilkka Laitinen met with the EUSA delegation as well. At the University of Tampere, EUSA representatives were received by Mrs Taru Koskinen, Director for International Affairs.

 

 

Evaluation visits to Coimbra and Tampere have therefore successfully concluded. The Evaluation Commission will present their report to the EUSA Executive Committee, which will meet on April 5, 2014 in Denizli to attribute the organisation of this biggest European student sport event for the year 2018.