EUSA Insider:
University Sports Federation of Liechtenstein
Founded: 2011
Current Headquarters: Vaduz
Website: www.lhsv.li Published 22 January 2021
Firstly, for those who do not know, please tell us a bit about your NUSA...
The University Sports Federation of Liechtenstein (LHSV) was founded in 2011 and is the umbrella organisation for university sports in Liechtenstein, now acting on behalf of its members Liechtenstein Institute, Private University in the Principality of Liechtenstein and the University of Liechtenstein with around 750 students. It promotes and coordinates university sport activities in Liechtenstein and fosters partnerships with local and national sporting organisations. The LHSV is a member of the Liechtenstein Olympic Committee (LOC) and represents university sports and its bodies. Internationally, the University Sports Federation of Liechtenstein is a member of FISU and EUSA. Apart from policy tasks, the federation, in cooperation with its members, organises multiple sport events a year and takes responsibility for Liechtenstein’s participation at international university sport events such as the Universiade, World University Championships and European Universities Games and Championships.
Can you describe some of the major events your NUSA has hosted in recent years, both national and international?
The federation in recent years hosted national and local sport events for students such as soccer, volleyball and beach volleyball championships. Internationally it participated in several World University Games and the European Universities Games in Coimbra as well as in the EUSA European Universities Golf Championships.
What have been some of the highlights for your NUSA in recent years?
Some of the association’s highlights in terms of participation in recent years were the record delegation of eight members to the 2017 Universiade in Taipei, as well as participation in the 2018 European Universities Games in Coimbra. Liechtenstein was also present at the 2019 Universiade in Krasnoyarsk which was the first appearance at a winter event for the federation.
"We appreciate the chance for our students to be offered the possibility to participate at a European level."
How important are the EUSA events – both sporting and educational – for your NUSA?
We appreciate the chance for our students to be offered the possibility to participate at a European level. Especially since most of our students are international (without Liechtenstein citizenship), this offers them a great chance to still represent their University and the country on a European level.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted university sport across the world. How was your NUSA able to adapt to the situation, what activities have you still managed to organise and are there any positives you have noted from these difficult circumstances?
Covid has put all in-person activities on hold and required rescheduling of planned missions to international events. Nevertheless, our members managed to move several parts of the sports programme onto a virtual stage.
Finally, what does the future of university sport in your country hold?
The University Sports Federation of Liechtenstein (LHSV) and the Liechtenstein Olympic Committee (LOC) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote “dual career” approaches, where the LHSV will take over a key role in developing offers to our national athletes.
EUSA wishes the University Sports Federation of Liechtenstein well for all their future endeavours, and looks forward to seeing their NUSA members and student-athletes at many of our events in future!