Rotterdam - the Candidate City for the organisation of the 2014 European Universities Games hosted the EUSA Evaluation Committee from October 13-15, 2011. Mr Alberto Gualtieri, EUSA President, Mr Kemal Tamer, Executive Committee Member and Mr Matjaz Pecovnik, Secretary General were welcomed by the Bidding Committee for the Organisation of the Games, chaired by its President Mr Menso de Maar, Director of Erasmus Sports.

On the first day the EUSA representatives met in the City Hall with the representatives of the major partner organisations in the project, Mr Ahmed Aboutaleb, the Mayor of the City of Rotterdam, Mrs Antoinette Laan, the Alderman for Culture and Sports of the City of Rotterdam, prof. dr. Henk Schmidt, the Rector Magnificus of the Erasmus University, Mr Daniel Sikkens, the Erasmus Sport Chairman and Mr Hans den Oudendammer, the Rotterdam Topsport Director. The National University Sports Association, Studentensport Nederland, was represented by Ms Hester de Vries, President 2010/11.



The Mayor of Rotterdam welcomed the Evaluation Committee Members. "Rotterdam is the City of Sports and we would be more than honoured to welcome students from all over Europe in our city for the 2014 European Universities Games," he added. Also the Rector of the Erasmus University stressed his full support for the organisation of the Games. "In Academic Year 2013/2014 our University celebrates its 100 Years Anniversary. It would be wonderful if we conclude our festivities with organisation of the European Universities Games," the Rector concluded. EUSA President thanked the representatives of the city and university for their commitments to further develop the university sports and presented them the EUSA anniversary Book.



After the reception, the visit continued with inspection visit to the accommodation and sports facilities in Rotterdam. The participants visited the City Apartments and University Campus, as well as the nearby Stadium, which is foreseen for the opening and closing ceremony.



After, a meeting was organised with the representatives of the Erasmus Students Organisation. With choosing the different means of transportation, such as tram, car, train and boat; the delegates could experience the various possibilities to travel in the city.



On the second day, the EUSA representatives had the opportunity to see Rotterdam and its sports facilities also from the air, as a special sightseeing flight was organised for them by the Bidding Committee.



Beside Sports Halls and outdoor pitches, the new Rowing and Golf venues, which are currently being built, could also be seen from the air.



The Evaluation continued with visits to the Victoria Tennis Club, Rotterdam Hockey Club and Feyenoord Football Stadium.



The last visit was made to the Rotterdam Topsport Facilities, which are foreseen for all the final games in different sports. Currently, the European Sitting Volleyball Championship is taking place in the Topsport Centre.



After the visits, the final meeting with the representatives of the bidding committee was held in the Topsport Centre, where EUSA representatives were able to get additional information from the bidding committee. The Evaluation Visit concluded with the cultural program 'This is Rotterdam'.



EUSA Evaluation Committee will present its report to the Executive Committee on November 26, 2011 in Cordoba. The report will be followed by the final presentations of both candidate cities, Wroclaw and Rotterdam, after which the EUSA Executive Committee will choose the organiser of the 2nd European Universities Games, to be held in 2014.