FISU Steering Committee meets in Budapest

BUDAPEST - Preparations for the upcoming Universiade in Taipei headlined at the latest FISU Steering Committee meetings, which were held over two days in the Hungarian capital.

Competitions and athlete services are the priority for Taipei 2017, although FISU’s busy agenda also included the next General Assembly, the adoption of a new strategy for 2017-2027, the FISU Gala and the FISU Conference on Development through Sport, in addition to many educational workshops and cultural activities.

Earlier this year, the national university sports federation of Hungary, MEFS (Magyar Egyetemi Föiskolai Sportszövetség) had invited FISU to hold a meeting in Budapest, one of Europe’s most popular tourist locations, which is actively promoting sport, and is eager to stage international sports competitions.

FISU President Matytsin with MEFS President Kiss

Before the official start of the Steering Committee meeting, the hosts, Dr. Ádám Kiss, MEFS President, joined by MEFS Secretary General Dr. Mozes Szekely and heads of several national sports federations, presented their plans to bid for FISU events in the 2020 World University Championships season. It was agreed that FISU and MESF will work together on the plan to organise a clustered World University Championship around several combat sports.

Another important topic of discussion was the first FISU Volunteer Leaders’ Academy 2017, to be held in Kazan from 2 to 9 July, 2017. According to the information provided by FISU President Oleg Matytsin, who is personally supervising the project, 98 countries are currently sending delegates to take part in the event. The initial programme already includes lectures and master-classes by leading experts in sport volunteering, communications and anti-doping courses taught by WADA experts.

The agenda for the meeting also included the modification of FISU’s statutes, cooperation between FISU and Continental University Sports Federations, the World University Leagues for 2018, and a new ranking system in university sport.

 Meeting with Pál Schmitt

The visit to Budapest also provided an opportunity for President Matytsin, First Vice President Leonz Eder and Secretary General/CEO Eric Saintrond to meet with HE Mr Pál Schmitt, celebrated Olympic fencer, former President of Hungary and former head of the National Olympic Committee and IOC Member.

 Meeting with with László Kövér

Later on, FISU executives had a conversation with László Kövér, Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary. During the meetings, all parties showed their commitment to work together in order to see more international university sports events take place in Hungary.

Read the original article on Fisu.net