Representatives of eleven national university sports associations (NUSA) had the opportunity to visit Łódź, from 17 -18 of May, with the purpose of getting acquainted with the ongoing preparations for the European Universities Games 2022. They were hosted by the Organizing Committee and EUSA Representatives.

The two day program, consisted of various activities, started on Tuesday, with the general meeting where the present attendees were welcomed by the speeches of the Vice-Mayor of the City of Łódź, Joanna Skrzydlewska, Rector of Łódź University of Technology, professor Krzysztof Jóźwik, the president of EUSA, Adam Roczek, the general secretary of EUSA, Matjaž Pečovnik, Vice-Rector for organization and student affairs of the Medical University of Łódź professor Janusz Piekarski and the spokesman of University of Łódź, Paweł Śpiechowicz.

All of the speakers expressed their convictions that EUG 2022 will be an amazing event, with a great atmosphere as well as pointing out the importance of teamwork and cooperation of the NUSA and University representatives in the preparation of the event before and during the games, to ensure smooth running and big success. 

The warm welcoming part was followed by a presentation about the staff members of the OC, which will be hosting more than 4500 athletes, competing in 20 sports as well as other team members and guests. Members of the OC also did a presentation consisting of information about the accreditation system, registration information, sports venues and disciplines, transportation details, accommodation, cathering and volunteering.

The second half of the day included venue – visits of facilities as the campus and the dormitories of Łódź University of Technology, the catering area, places designated for the NUSA Offices and accreditation center as well as sporting venues as Geyer Gardens, Skorupki Hall and Zatoka Sportu, where the tournaments of kickboxing, taekwondo, beach sports, 3x3 basketball, badminton, sports climbing, swimming and waterpolo will happen. This first part of working activities ended with a fruitful Q&A session. 

On Wednesday May 18th, the attendees along with the OC staff members, started the day with visiting the monumental EC1 complex, where the chess competitions will take place, followed by visits of Malachowskiego hall, designated for futsal and basketball competitions, Lodzianka football pitch, AZS Łódź tennis courts, Anilana hall and the dormitories of Łódź University. During these visits the NUSA representatives had the chance to inspect and to get more detailed information about the courts and venues.

The second part of venue-visiting was reserved for the Minerska football pitch and the two arenas in which the opening and closing ceremonies will happen, the Atlas arena and Sports Arena. While visiting these arenas the group had the chance to hear more about the plan for the opening ceremony and get more details about the activities that will take place during these ceremonies. As for the wrap up of the day NUSA and EUSA representatives returned to Zatoka Sportu where they had the opportunity to share impressions and receive answers to their questions from the organizational committee of EUG 2022.

In addition to these two full working days, Monday, the 16th, was the day reserved for the OC and EUSA representatives to meet, to discuss and to finesse all the required steps and information regarding the upcoming NUSA Coordination meeting as well as the European Universities Games 2022.

Representatives from The Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Croatia, Germany, Georgia, France, Portugal, Norway, Slovenia, Kosovo and the UK attended this NUSA Coordination Meeting, being the event prior to the European Universities Games which will be held from 17-30 of July, in Łódź, Poland.

The European Universities Games in Lodz are being organised under the licence of the European University Sports Association (EUSA) by the Lodz University of Technology, University Sports Association of Poland (AZS) and City of Lodz, in cooperation with the EUSA Institute and several partners, inlcuding the Ministry of Education and Science, national and local tourism organisations, Polish Olympic Committee, national and local sports organisation, media outlets and is also supported and co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.

Please see eug2022.eu for more information about the upcoming games.