Executive Committee members of the European University Sports Association (EUSA), key office members and invited delegates met on October 12 in Kusadasi, Türkiye, a jewel of the Aegean Sea that in the next days is also going to host EUSA General Assembly, EUSA-FISU Strategic Dialogue and EUSA Awards Gala.

EUSA Family members were welcomed by the representative of the hosts – the President of the Türkiye University Sports Federation (TUSF) Mehmet Gunay. EUSA President Adam Roczek thanked the host institution for the invitation and the hospitality, stressing TUSF commitment in the last years of successful participation in and organisation of a multitude of EUSA competitions, mentioning also their candidatures in future events.

The meeting started with a general overview of activities and office report, presented by EUSA Secretary General Matjaz Pecovnik. He highlighted the main achievements of the organisation in the past period this summer, especially the successful and record breaking summer season of European Universities Championships.

A year of competition that is not yet over, since in December EUSA will organise its first ever Winter Sports Championships in Val di Zoldo, Italy, with a very good promise of attendances and all-over quality. Attribution, calendar and bidding procedures for the 2024, 2025 and 2027 EUSA events were also presented by EUSA Sports Manager Miha Zvan, who shared the highlights of the whole season.

After a brief progress report on the European Universities Games Debrecen-Miskolc 2024 (EUG2024), reports on candidature for the European Universities Games 2028 were presented, followed by the nomination of the Evaluation Commission. Satisfaction was expressed by both EUSA President and EUSA Secretary General on the number and quality of all the applicants at the event planned in less than five years.

The Sports Events part of the meeting concluded with reports about EUSA endorsed partnership events, such as EUSA Patronage and Cups and FISU World University Leagues and Cups.

Projects and initiatives co-funded by the European Union (EU) through the Erasmus+ Programme and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) were presented by the EUSA Communications and Projects Manager Andrej Pisl. EUSA is engaged in several projects and through its Institute currently leads four EU-funded projects; namely Inclusion in Sport (iSport), Enhancing sport organisations and management (ESOM), European Solidarity Corps – Volunteering (ESC) and Erasmus+ Youth Mobility. In addition, we are partnering in four ongoing projects: Brand Value Alignment through Dual Career (BRAVA), Green Sports Hub Europe (GSHE), Youth Integrity Ambassador Program (YIAP) and Healthy Lifestyle For All.

The topic of Conferences and Meetings was presented by EUSA Secretary General, as well as Education and Development Manager Sara Rozman. Calendar of upcoming Executive Committee meetings was shared.

Last received applications and revisions to the EUSA Associated Members applications were also presented and preliminarily approved before presenting it to the EUSA General Assembly tomorrow for confirmation.

EUSA events in Kusadasi continue tomorrow with the EUSA General Assembly, and on Saturday with the EUSA-FISU Strategic Dialogue, as well as the EUSA Gala and Awards Ceremony.