EUSA Evaluation Committee composed by Mr Adam Roczek, EUSA President, Mr Ceslovas Garbaliauskas, Executive Committee Member and Mr Matjaz Pecovnik, Secretary General paid an evaluation visit between April 14 and 16 to Coimbra, Portugal, a candidate city for organisation of the 3rd European Universities Games in 2016.



The EUSA representatives were first received by Mr Joao Gabriel Silva, Rector of University of Coimbra, Mr Barbosa de Melo, Mayor of Coimbra, Mr Joao Queiro, Secretary of State for Higher Education, Mr Bruno Barracosa, President of Portugal Academic University Sports Federation (FADU) and Mr Ricardo Morgado, President of University of Coimbra Students Union (AAC). All the bidding partners once again stressed their full support and commitment to EUG 2016 and candidature of Coimbra. 



After the meeting, the participants enjoyed a performance prepared for them by the AAC gymnastic section. The performance organised at the University of Coimbra Rectorate attracted many spectators, namely students, citizens and press, who also showed great interest to the candidature of Coimbra. Later on, the EUSA representatives visited also the historical places of the university like the Chapel and Joanina Library.



The next morning, the representatives of the bidding committee presented in details the project of organisation of the 2016 EUG to the Evaluation Commission Members.

"FADU is one of the most active EUSA Member Federations. By organising many European Universities Championships and other EUSA events in the past we have proved our capabilities to organise great events for EUSA and we will do the same in 2016, if the opportunity to host the Games in Coimbra will be given to us" stressed Mr Barracosa in final address to the EUSA representatives.



The visit continued with the evaluation of the sports and accommodation facilities foreseen for the games. Firstly, the University Sports Complex was visited. "We expect the renovation of the university sports centre to be the main legacy of the project", stressed the Rector of the University Coimbra. Beside two sports pavilions, a rugby field, football stadium and tennis centre are also located on the spot.



The delegation paid a visit also to the Convention centre, which is currently being built. The centre is foreseen to be used by the organising committee and EUSA for organisational matters and accreditation during the games.



At the end of the first part of the evaluation, a number of hotels in Coimbra foreseen to host the participants of the event were visited, including Hotel Vila Gale, foreseen for EUSA Headquarters.



The second part of the evaluation will, beside of visiting the other sports and accommodation facilities in Coimbra, include also the visits to Figueira da Foz and Montemor, planned to host 3 out of 12 sports on the EUG 2016 program.