The Executive Committee meeting of the European University Sports Association in Tbilisi, Georgia started on June 12 with a special reception at the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs of Georgia.

EUSA representatives Mr Adam Roczek, the President, Mr Matjaz Pecovnik, Secretary General and Mr Andrej Pisl, Communications and Projects Manager, were met by the Minister Mr Levan Kipiani and the Deputy Minister Mr Tamaz Tevzadze, accompanied by the representatives of the University Sports Federation of Georgia (USFG) – Mr Lekso Gugava as the President and Mr Shota Bakradze, the Vice President.

Minister Kipiani welcomed the guests and gave a short introduction on the importance of sport and youth in Georgia, which is reflected not only in policies, but also numerous local and international sporting events held in this country. He specifically highlighted the European Youth Olympic Festival, which will be hosted in Tbilisi next year, but also added several other international sports events, particularly aimed at young people.

EUSA President Mr Roczek thanked the Minister for the hospitality and highlighted EUSA’s interest and commitment towards the development and support of university sport in Europe in general, and particularly in this region. He briefly introduced the history of EUSA and different models of organisation of student sport around Europe. A debate followed, where the importance of amateur sport, with different social aspects, was the focal point, recognising the necessity of cross-sector cooperation. The reception concluded with a gift exchange and TV interviews for the local media.

At the ocassion of the reception, EUSA and USFG representatives also visited the Museum of Sport, located at the building of the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs of Georgia.



Later in the day, the representatives of the Ministry also attended the formal opening part of the Executive Committee Meeting, honouring EUSA members and guests with their presence. Minister Kipiani welcomed everyone and reconfirmed his commitment to the support of university sport and expressed interest to host some EUSA events in Georgia in the near future.



He also stressed the importance the sports organisations, like the University Sports Federation of Georgia, in the development of sport. EUSA president Mr Roczek thanked the Minister, commended the involvement of USFG in EUSA and also expressed his satisfaction that also other members in the region are greatly contributing to the growth of university sport in the region and wider in Europe.

The EUSA Executive meeting, which is hosted by the University Sports Federation of Georgia, will be held in Tbilisi between June 12 and 14.