Over the past few months, various changes have occurred within the European University Sports Association staff, with the organisation bidding farewell to three members of the EUSA Office.

Mr Besim Aliti, former EUSA Sports Manager, held his position at EUSA for almost five years, before taking up a new role as Executive Adviser to the President at the Kosovo Olympic Committee. He will remain as a consultant for EUSA ahead of the 2022 European Universities Games in Lodz, Poland, and looks back at his time in the EUSA Office with great affection:

“I started in EUSA in the end of 2016, immediately after the European Universities Games in Zagreb - Rijeka, where I performed the role of Games Operations Director. EUSA is a family to me, and this is the atmosphere EUSA is ready to offer to each of its members, making sure that all professional and personal ambitions are fulfilled. On the professional side, I feel that EUSA offered numerous opportunities which are definitely multi-dimensional, such as: meeting people and growing the network within the sports industry and the university community; learning about sport and project management while working at European Universities Championships, European Universities Games and other projects, and learning how to react and properly manage stressful situations in a complex environment.



"There were many remarkable moments which I am proud of during my time in EUSA. First of all, I am proud of my team, especially Liam and Lea, as well as Mariano and Zrinka, who I have worked with directly and watched them grow to become top-level managers. I am proud of the rest of the team for the constant support they have given in organising numerous sport events. I am also proud when I see how much EUSA has grown in credibility and visibility, which can be seen by working together with almost every European sport federation on EUSA sports programme, candidate cities fighting to organise EUSA events and the respect that EUSA has gained within the European Commission. I am proud of every single moment at EUSA and I truly hope that together we will create a remarkable history and make sure that EUSA continues its growth every day.”

Former EUSA Assistant Sports Manager Mr Liam Smith was also part of EUSA for a half-decade, before returning to the United Kingdom earlier this year to take up the position of Performance Programme Coordinator at the British Triathlon Federation.

“It's almost five years since I started my EUSA journey, which has taken me all over Europe, collaborating with so many great people and organisations. I look back at my time in EUSA with great pride, both for EUSA and also for me personally. EUSA has come so far in those five years, continuing to build our reputation in the European sports movement, growing our network of partners, and delivering bigger and better sport events year on year for the European university community. Likewise, I feel I have come so far in five years, step by step taking on more responsibility, and ultimately shaping me as a professional in sport.



"There have been so many highlights to my time in EUSA, but one has to be the opening ceremony of EUG2018 in Coimbra, Portugal. So many people had worked so hard for us to get to that point, and the amazing spectacle in the historic University of Coimbra was really very special for everyone there. I am sure that there are many fantastic moments ahead of EUSA and everyone that contributes to developing university sport in Europe. I wish you all the best, and I am looking forward to when our paths cross once again.”

Former Communications Officer Mr Fabio De Dominicis joined the EUSA Office at the start of 2019, and now departs to take up the position of International Digital Editor at Juventus Football Club.

“The past two-and-a-half years as a EUSA employee was a period in my life I will forever cherish. Thrown into a new environment with completely new challenges and responsibilities, I was able to expand my skillset and horizons, gain valuable experience and insight, and contribute to an ever-growing continental organisation which continues to serve an ever-expanding membership.



"I will be eternally grateful for each and every EUSA staff member, for their constant guidance, support and daily humour, during both challenging and rewarding times. The EUSA family is close-knit, the opportunities for growth are immense, and the impact made both on the sports field – through the various sports competitions organised – as well as off it – through educational events and European-wide projects – gives one the ability to make a lasting impact. EUSA has definitely helped shape my professional career, I was able to travel and meet so many people and make lifelong friends, and look forward to following the association’s growth in the coming years.”

EUSA thanks Besim, Liam and Fabio for their contributions in recent years, and is proud to have played a role in their professional development as they take the next steps in their careers. We know it’s not ‘Goodbye’, but ‘Farewell and see you soon!’.