Before travelling to Madeira for the EUSA General Assembly and the Conference, the President of the European University Sports Association (EUSA) Mr Adam Roczek met with some important representatives in Portugal on March 12 and 13, together with the President of the Portuguese University Sports Federation (FASU) Mr Bruno Barracosa.

Mr Roczek and Mr Barracosa were received by the President of the Portuguese Republic Mr Aníbal António Cavaco Silva. The meeting was also attended by Mr João Gabriel Silva, the Rector of the University of Coimbra, Mr Ricardo Morgado, President of Coimbra Academic Association (AAC) and Mr João Paulo Barbosa de Melo, President of the Municipality of Coimbra.

The President welcomed the delegation and together they discussed the importance of University sport. He also referred to his personal experiences in university sport, as he was an athlete himself, competing in track and field. He commended the work done in the field of university sport in Portugal and the experience of hosting university sports events in the country and particularly in Coimbra, the City of Students. Mr Roczek thanked the President for the kind gesture and the reception, appreciating his understanding for the university sports values and needs. He also presented the special edition of the EUSA book to Mr Cavaco Silva.

On a separate meeting, Mr Roczek and Mr Barracosa also met the President of the Portuguese Olympic Committee Mr Vicente Moura. Mr Moura emphasised the strong cooperation of the Olympic Committee and FADU, which is based on the cooperation agreement, signed between the two organisations in 1999. FADU was presented as a pillar of development for university sport in Portugal, having strong articulation between sport, universities and sports federations. Mr Roczek complimented the work done in Portugal and discussed the idea of the dual career of the students, having activities in sport on highest level and linking it to education and academic achievements.

The Presidents of EUSA and FADU were also met by the Secretary State for Sports and Youth Mr Alexandre Mestre. Mr Mestre confirmed the role of FADU as strong partner of the government in the youth and sports area, adding that it is a great pleasure of having student sports representation in the two national councils for youth and sport. In the discussions the evolution and dynamics of university sports were mentioned, and all the representatives agreed that it is important for it to develop and grow. They especially focused on the status of a student athlete and integration of sports and knowledge in institutions of higher education.

In the discussions all highest Portuguese representatives showed their full support also to the bid of Coimbra to host the 3rd European Universities Games in 2016. Mr Roczek confirmed that both candidates have strong bids and assured that the selection will be fair and transparent.