The Finnish Olympic Committee said yes to the application of Finnish Student Sports Federation (OLL) for its membership. The historical decision was made in November 15th by the council of Finnish Olympic Committee. As a member of an organization (FISU) recognized by the International Olympic Committee, Finnish Student Sports Federation meets the criteria set for the membership of NOC. The decision was also justified by the determined work that Finnish Student Sports Federation has done for the progress of elite sport in Finland as a responsible body for Finnish participation in Summer and Winter Universiade as well as university championship on World and European level.
 

 

Hilkka Laitinen, the secretary general of Finnish Student Sports Federation, was happy after receiving the good news: “This is a significant acknowledgement for Finnish student sports. The high level international university sport events offer a great opportunity for the young and talented student athletes on their way to the world elite. There is still a lot of work to be done in order to get more and more people in Finland convinced of this fact. Another affair we are committed to work for is to improve the preconditions of the student athletes to carry on successfully their dual career.”

On a more practical level Finnish Student Sports Federation has already had a good co-operation with national Olympic Committee for a longer time.

 

In 2011, the Finnish Student Sports Federation is also organising the 8th European Universities Futsal Championship, featuring tournaments for both men and women, and the preparations are already well under way.