EUSA Insider: Alejandro
Guerra Urbistondo
Age: 31
Place of Birth: Malaga, Spain
University: University of Malaga (ESP)
Technical Manager - University of Malaga Sports Club
OC General Coordinator - EUSA Handball 2017 Published: 9 January 2018
How long have you been involved in sports?
As a player, I have practised basketball since I was 7. My parents played when they were young and when I was a kid my father was still member of a team, so we could say that it's the family’s sport. I studied Sports Science and a Master degree in Sport Management, so sport is an essential part of my life.
What is your experience with university sport? Did you have any experience with EUSA events in previous years?
My current job is related to University Sport in Malaga and Spain. I’m the Technical Manager of a club and our main team, competing in the Second Division of the Spanish Futsal National League is mainly composed by university students. Regarding international university sport events, my first event was in 2008 as part of the roster of the University of Malaga Basketball Team competing in the European Universities Championship held in Novi Sad (Serbia).
"I have also led the bidding projects to host EUSA Golf 2019, which we’ll organise in Antequera"
In 2011, I became part of the Organising Committee of the European Universities Beach Volley Championship organised by the University of Malaga, managing the event volunteers. After that, I was promoted to General Coordinator for all the international events organised by the University of Malaga: EUSA Futsal 2013, World University Futsal 2014, World University Handball 2016 and EUSA Handball 2017.
Additionally, I have also led the bidding projects to host EUSA Golf 2019, which we’ll organise in Antequera, and now the World University Beach Volley Championship 2020!
What was the thing you enjoyed the most from the European Universities Championships 2017?
Probably the three moments I enjoyed the most were the arrival of the teams to the hotel, the opening ceremony and the final matches. Nevertheless, the moment after the awarding and closing ceremony has always been very special for me, with all teams celebrating and the members of the Organising Committee hugging each other and happy for the success of the event. We always take a group picture with the winning teams, the volunteers and confetti falling everywhere.
"EUSA events are an amazing
experience. If you can take part in these championships, you definitely must."
In 2018 EUSA has the European Universities Games in Coimbra, Portugal, why do you think these international university sport events are important?
From their first edition in Cordoba in 2012, the EUSA Games has been very successful. Year after year the number of participants and sports being part of the program has increased. I think this kind of multisport events has a greater impact than the individual ones, as they are more conspicuous and need a greater involvement of the city and all the stakeholder involved in its development.
This is your chance! What is your message to the European student community?
The EUSA events are an amazing experience. If you can take part in these championships, you definitely must. You'll be able to travel abroad, meet people from other countries and share a great experience from which you'll learn very important things that will enrich your background and will let you be a better professional in the future, no matter what you're studying.
EUSA would like to say a massive thank you to Alejandro for his dedication to European and International university sport events. So many students have had amazing times at the events you have been involved with... we are so excited for EUSA Golf in 2019!
Find out more about EUG Coimbra 2018.
