On July 14, the third and last day of the Observer Programme took place at the Aurora Hotel in Miskolc. The Observer Programme was a series of events with the goal of giving a wider insight into the whole key information about the process of organizing the European Universities Games 2024, for future hosts and organizers. The Observer Programme was held in Miskolc on the first day, moved to Debrecen on July 13 and concluded as said in Miskolc on Sunday.

This year's Observer Programme welcomed representatives from universities and organizations set to host future European Universities Games. These include the University of Salerno (EUG2026), the Croatian Academic Sports Association (EUG2028 Split), and the University of Granada (EUG2030). Additionally, a representative from the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World Universities Games organizing committee and a delegation from the University of Aveiro in Portugal joined the program.

 

 

The second day of the programme saw the trip to Debrecen on Saturday, and included the 2024 EUSA Forum in the morning schedule, a meeting event that this year revolved around the theme "Synergies in University Sport Development". All the participants then went on a collective guided tour within the University of Debrecen Campus.

 

During the tour they were able to visit the sports venues and competitions currently taking place (namely the 3x3 Basketball court, the Futsal hall and the Football pitch), as well as experience the atmosphere of the EUG2024 in the city, while also having the opportunity to visit key mixed zones such as the accreditation centre, the official canteen. the volunteer centre, and some accommodation places.

 

 

The third and last day of the programme, held again in Miskolc, has begun with a very fruitful "reflections" session, with several roundtables and Q&A moments moderated by EUSA Representative Ms Natasa Jankovic. Welcoming speeches and remarks were made by Representatives of the Organizational Committee, Mr Peter Juhász, Hungarian University Sports Federation MEFS Secretary General and OC Managing Director, Mr Szabolcs Biro.

 

The first topic to be discussed was Protocol and Hospitality, with the panoramic overviews offered by OC Representatives Ms Mirjam Sipos and Mr Tamas Szabo, and EUSA Representative Ms Sara Rozman.

 

The second argument of analysis was Transportation, which is always one of the biggest challenges during these kinds of events, especially in editions with two cities involved. The conversation involved an expert view offered by Mr Nikola Vincetic, member of the OC of EUG2016 in Zagreb-Rijeka and other European Universities Championships in Croatia, together with the on-site review of a present OC Representative in Miskolc Ms Reka Molnar.

 

The last topic of the successful dialogue regarded the Marketing, Media and Communication aspects of such an event: insights into the entire process and plan were offered by OC Representative Mr Balazs Takacs, who gave a visual presentation which was then further explored by EUSA Representative Mr Salvatore Sisca.

 

The daily programme then continued in the afternoon with a final collective guided tour of most of the venues in the University of Miskolc Campus: the observers had the chance to visit the accreditation centre, fun and catering zone, accommodation buildings, volunteer centre and media centre.

 

The event then concluded with an official farewell dinner.
The Observer Programme offered a unique chance for those involved in future European Universities Games to see the event firsthand. Participants gained a deep understanding of the Games' scale, complexity, and how everything works together. It also provided a space for learning, sharing ideas, and building connections with EUSA staff and others involved in the Games.