EUSA General Assembly in Turkey concluded on Saturday, April 5 in the evening with a special EUSA Gala event. The Gala marked the 15th anniversary of the European University Sports Association (EUSA) and was the perfect occasion to socialise and celebrate the highlights of the previous year and special accomplishments.

The Gala started with the welcome addresses by EUSA President Mr Adam Roczek and TUSF President Mr Kemal Tamer.



Following the gift exchanges, cultural programme followed, starting with life music performance, and a formal dinner.

Several awards were presented, starting with the most active National University Sports Association, determined by participation of teams and number of participants in the European Universities Championships in 2013. Additional points were given for organization of any EUSA event. Among EUSA member federations, there are a few federations which were especially active in 2013 and in the end the title of the most active NUSA in 2013 was given to the Portuguese Academic Federation of University Sport – FADU Portugal. The award was presented by Mr Oleg Matytsin, EUSA Vice-President and was received by Ms Filipa Godinho, FADU President.

Next award was the Best University Award, based on the sports achievements and results in EUSA competitions. Three top universities got over 30 points for their achievements and this university proved to be the most successful university in the past year - the University of Minho from Portugal. The award was received by Mr Antonio Cunha, Rector of the University of Minho and Mr Carlos Videira, President of the University of Minho Student Union and was presented by Mr Leonz Eder, EUSA Vice President.

EUSA annually awards the recognition for Fair Play, taking into account the gesture/situation during the EUSA events which stand out the most. During the 2013 European Universities Championships, one situation was specifically noble. “On the 16th fairway, in the final group, in the final round, this athlete asked for a referee and called a 2 shot penalty on himself for contravening the rules by breaking a tree branch during his swing, despite the fact that no one else was aware of the breach. This cost him the bronze medal but was a clear example of good sportsmanship and fair play.” This athlete was Mr Cormac Sharvin, representing Stirling University from the United Kingdom. The award was presented by Mr Alberto Gualtieri, EUSA Honorary President and Mr Miroslav Cerar, Vice-President of the European Fair Play Movement (EFPM). On behalf of Mr Sharvin, the award was received by Mr Stephen Baddeley, Member of BUCS Advisory Group.

EUSA photo competition has been organised since 2009 and is being run the EUSA Student Commission. It gives the chance for participants to take photos and capture the right moment to reveal the true nature of the university spirit. For 2013 – similarly to the year before – the Student Commission members chose among the incoming photos the finalists - four photos, and the public voting began on the EUSA Facebook page. Over 1000 votes have been cast during the voting period, selecting the winning photo. The winning author is Mr Boris Brnovic from Montenegro for his photo, taken at the 9th European Universities Tennis Championship, held in Bar, Montenegro. He received the award from Mr Bruno Barracosa, EUSA Student Commission Chairman.

Before the next session of the awarding, the hosts of the EUSA events in Denizli, the Turkish University Sports Federation (TUSF) prepared a special traditional Turkish dance show and performance.

European University Sports Association – EUSA – is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2014. Throughout the years, this continental umbrella university sports body attained the recognition of the International University Sports Federation – FISU – as the associated member and the governing body of University Sport in Europe. EUSA is a valuable organisation for the European institutions and bodies, as well as a strong partner to several sports and other organisations in Europe. The growth of the organisation could not be achieved if it was not for dedicated people who greatly contributed to the development of EUSA and University Sport in Europe. Some of these individuals, former EUSA Executive Committee Members, have been especially active and have been thus recognised for their work and devotion by awarding them the title of Honorary Members. EUSA President Mr Adam Roczek presented the awards and special pins to the Honorary members.
 

First to be awarded with the title, special plaquette and a pin was Mr Wolf Fruhauf from Austria.

Mrs Alison Odell from the United Kingdom received the award and the title of Honorary member next.

The next person to receive the title and the award was Mr Dinos Pavlou from Cyprus.

Mr Filipe Santos from Portugal also received the title. Mr Roczek then invited Mr Alberto Gualtieri, EUSA Honorary President to receive the special pin and address the audience.

As the Gala progressed, so rose the expectations. The final part of the gala was the highly expected announcement of the host of the European Universities Games 2018.



Both candidate cities – Tampere, Finland and – Coimbra, Portugal were thanked for the quality bids. EUSA President then opened the sealed envelope and announced the winner – the 4th European universities Games will be organised in Coimbra, Portugal.

The announcement concluded the official part of the EUSA Gala and the General Assembly in Denizli. The event was hosted by the Turkish University Sports Federation (TUSF) and supported by the International University Sports Federation (FISU).