European University Sports Association (EUSA) held its second Executive Committee 
meeting of the year in the Serbian capital on November 11 and 12, 2016. Hosted by
the University Sport Federation of Serbia (USSS), the meeting was held in the Crowne
Plaza Hotel in Belgrade.
As reported, prior to the meeting, EUSA representatives were met by the Rector of the
University of Belgrade, and at the start of the meeting, a special press conference was
organised, with attendance of the Serbian Minister of Youth and Sport, City and Sport
representatives.
At the meeting, the participants were welcomed by Mr Adam Roczek, EUSA President,
who thanked Mr Sinisa Jasnic, USSS President for the invitation and the hospitality.
Executive Committee members first received a general overview and office report by
EUSA Secretary General Mr Matjaz Pecovnik, followed by financial report and budget
realisation for the first 9 months of the year by EUSA Treasurer Mr Lorenz Ursprung.
The focus then shifted specifically on sports events, first reflecting back on the very
successful edition of the European Universities Games, which were held in Zagreb
and Rijeka in July 2016. Upcoming European Universities Championships in 2017
were presented afterwards, together with novelties and services implemented by
EUSA, including new website and result management system, to be used by all sports
events organisers.
On Friday special opportunity was given to the hosts to present progress report on the
European Universities Games 2020, which were attributed to Belgrade in April this
year. On behalf of the Organising Committee, the presentation was done by Mr Sinisa
Jasnic and Mrs Ivanka Popovic. After their presentation of the planned activities, also
organisers of other EUSA sports events to take place in the next years in Serbia took
place.
EUSA Secretary general shared the information about the projects and activities
supported by the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and Mr Andrej Pisl,
EUSA Communications and Projects manager, gave a report on the projects funded
by the European Commission and other European institutions. EUSA is currently a
partner in projects SCORE - Promotion of Gender Equality in Coaching, VOICE -
Combatting sexual violence, European Week of Sport (EWOS), and will start new
projects in 2017.
Ms Sara Rozman, EUSA Office Manager, presented other projects, including the
EUSA Exhibition, and the report on the 2017 EUSA Conference and Gala, which will
take place April 6-9 in Coimbra, Portugal. As in the beginning of December, Coimbra
will also host the EUG Convention of the European Universities Games 2018 and
inspection visit for martial arts/combat sport events in 2017 (judo, karate, taekwondo),
special focus was given on the preparations for this event as well.
The meeting continued on Saturday with the presentation of the report by
representatives from Portugal - Mr Daniel Monteriro, FADU President and Mr Mario
Santos, Secretary General of the Organising Committee European Universities Games
2018.
Topic of international cooperation, focusing on FISU, partner organisations and other
organisations and initiatives was given a special highlight, as this Executive
Committee meeting was also an opportunity to sign a memorandum of understanding
between European University Sports Association (EUSA) and the European Students'
Union (ESU).
Special interest was also the attribution of the European Universities Championships
2019. Among 32 bids received, EUSA Executive Committee attributed 19
Championships for 2019 - in Badminton, Basketball, Basketball 3x3, Beach Volleyball,
Bridge, Chess, Football, Futsal, Handball, Judo, Karate, Rowing, Rugby 7's, Sport
Climbing, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis and Volleyball. Please see here for the
complete list of the attributed Championships.
EUSA Executive Committee also nominated Commissions members for the mandate
2016-2020. Apart from the Technical Commission, which was already nominated,
other commissions were appointed among the proposed candidates by the National
university sports associations: Student Commission, Media and Communications
Commission, Equal Opportunities Commission, Educational Commission, Medical
Commission, Control Commission. EUSA also has Marketing Commission and EUG
Supervision Commission, where members were appointed within the Executive
Committee and invited experts.
Before the formal part of the meeting concluded, the establishment of EUSA Institute
was presented, followed by the activity plan for the upcoming year.
EUSA Executive Committee meeting in Belgrade which was hosted by the University
Sport Federation of Serbia (USSS) and organised also with the support of the
International University Sports Federation (FISU), was concluded with a sightseeing
tour of the city and a dinner in a traditional restaurant, where the participants were able
to enjoy the Serbian cuisine and culture.