Prior to the 8th FASU Games to be held in Johannesburg, the African University Sports Federation (FASU) organised a pre-Games event on June 24 and 25 - the FASU Games Conference, giving also a special focus on coaches.

After the welcoming statements by the hosts from Johannesburg University and University Sports South Africa, FASU President Mr Malumbethe Ralethe took the floor. He underlined the fact that the role of sport makes the countries all the same as they have to follow the same rules. He mentioned that sport can change Africa and bring more peace, university sports having major role in this development.



The floor was then given to the President of thr International University Sports Federation (FISU) Mr Oleg Matytsin. “I am convinced that today’s conference is very important to University sport in Africa, just as University Education is important to all of us. University Education is a critical component of human development worldwide. It shapes our lives, our careers, our lifestyles. It is a social lift for individuals and a gate to brighter future for developing nations,” FISU President Matytsin stated.



Mr Matytsin encouraged the Continental Federation to play a greater role in translating FISU initiatives at a national level. “We should also cooperate with National University Sports Federations to better understand their needs and to receive feedback from them. Both Continental and National University Sports Federations are our main asset for promoting our initiatives,” he stated.



During the Conference, Mr Leonz Eder as the former EUSA Vice President, took the floor on behalf of the European University Sports Association. He expressed the best wishes to the FASU Family and then spoke about the participation of individual universities in continental university games, with emphasis on the European experience.” Eder showed the fast development in the EUSA history, mainly in the field of sports events - the European Universities Championships and Games, and the importance of the Educational projects, Seminars, Conventions and the cooperation with the European Commission. He also underlined the close cooperation with many European Sport Federations. Finally Mr Eder thanked the FISU for the fruitful dialogue with the Continental Federations and also FASU for the close relations between the two Continental Federations.



Later on, together with FISU 1st Vice President Leonz Eder and Laurent Briel, FISU Director for Development and NUSF relations, the FISU President met the FASU Executive Committee members present in Johannesburg for a deep discussion about opportunities, but also challenges and problems.

The 8th All Africa University Games, commonly known as the FASU Games, will start on June 26 and will conclude on July 2.

For more information, please see www.africauniversitysports.com.