The International University Sports Federation (FISU) held its 38th electoral General Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, from 17-18 November. Member associations from all around the world were invited to participate in this two-day meeting, held in the Hilton Geneva Hotel and Conference Centre.  

In his opening words, commencing the General Assembly, FISU Acting President Leonz Eder said: “We are now stronger and more unified than ever, fully prepared to confront any challenges that may come our way, all while continuing to expand our efforts for FISU, its members and students worldwide.”

The working programme of the first day of the General Assembly of FISU was then kicked off with reports from the FISU Acting President Leonz Eder and Secretary General Eric Saintrond. The delegates approved reports of the FISU Treasurer and External Auditor, as well as the reports from FISU’s various departments.

Final reports from Lake Placid 2023 FISU World Winter University Games and Chengdu FISU World Summer University Games, were also presented. The Lake Placid Games saw 2150 athletes and coaches in 12 sports from 12-22 January, while Chengdu Games, taking place from 28^th of July until 8^th of August, saw 18 sports and over 6.500 athletes from 113 countries.

Former four-time Universiade participant Mathias Remund, Director of the Swiss Federal Office of Sport stressed the importance of practicing sport during studies and said that his FISU experience shaped the person he is today.

FISU Secretary General Eric Saintrond stressed the values of unity and diversity in FISU and the “need to put the interest of the group before individual interests and find compromises, which is the only way to overcome the problems in the world.” During Saintrond’s speech, he officially announced his plan to retire in early 2025, receiving a lengthy standing ovation in recognition of his dedication and passion for FISU and university sport.

To commemorate the late FISU Secretary General Emeritus and former FISU Secretary General (1979-2007) Roch Campana, his sister Corinne Campana gave a strong and emotional speech, remembering and honouring her brother.

General Assembly approved the budget for 2024 and 2025 and discharged the Executive Committee for the period 2019-2023. The official end of the first day was marked with the 8th FISU Gender Equality Awards, given to Samar Judah Mousa, Gender Equality Champion from the Palestine University Sports Federation, and to the Portuguese Academic Federation of University Sport (FADU) for its project Challenge the Numbers!

On day two, the General Assembly welcomed updates from the Torino 2025 FISU Games Winter, and the next two FISU Games Summer – Rhine-Ruhr 2025 and Chungcheong 2027.

Following the future FISU Games presentations the elections of FISU’s Executive Committee for the 2023-2027 period was held.

Leonz Eder was unanimously elected President, by the 115 NUSFs present with voting rights and will serve until 2027. Eder had served as FISU Acting President since 2020, guiding FISU through significant global challenges and the return of a full calendar of events in 2023. For the next four years, he will lead the organisation alongside the newly elected Executive Committee.

The composition of the entire FISU Executive Committee, with the mandate 2023-2027 is as follows:

President: Leonz Eder (SUI)

First Vice-President: Luciano Atayde da Costa Cabral (BRA)

Vice Presidents: Jin Liu (CHN), Penninah Kabenge (UGA), Verena Burk (GER), Marian Dymalski (POL)

Treasurer: Bayasgalan Danzandorj (MGL)

Senior Executive Committee Member: Martin Doulton (AUS)

Executive Committee Members: Daichi Suzuki (JPN), Hosung Chang (KOR), Rosaura Mendez Gamboa (CRC), Lorenzo Lentini (ITA), Marko Zunic (CRO), Emiliano Ojea (ARG), Delise O’Meally (USA), Duarte Lopes (POR), Ching-Yu Tseng (TPE), Sami Garabedian (LBN), Ali Massari Al Dhaheri (UAE), Mehmet Gunay (TUR), Agnes Ancic-Valkai (HUN), Cheng Fave See Tow (SGP), Nomsa Mahlangu (RSA)

The new FISU Executive Committee is formed at an exciting time for FISU and university sport, with a strong pipeline of host cities.

The General Assembly also welcomed the new addition to the FISU membership of the Qatar Collegiate Sports Federation (QCSF). The inclusion of QCSF as a member follows Qatar's successful hosting of its inaugural FISU event this year, the FISU University World Cup 3x3 Basketball.

European University Sports Association (EUSA) was represented at the event by EUSA President Adam Roczek, and Secretary General Matjaz Pecovnik, as well as Education and Development Manager Sara Rozman.

For more information, please see www.fisu.net