Naples Candidate City for the 2019 Universiade?

NAPLES – After a visit by the FISU Secretary General/CEO Eric Saintrond in October 2015 and the signing of a first MOU with Vincenzo de Luca, the President of the Campania Region, a second visit took place in Naples from 12 to 14 January 2016 in presence of the newly elected FISU President Oleg Matytsin who was accompanied by FISU Secretary General/CEO Eric Saintrond.

Oleg Matytsin with Vincenzo de Luca

The FISU President highlighted the important role played by Italy and the Italian NUSF (CUSI) in the long history of FISU and the Universiade. Italy has hosted four Summer Universiades (1959, 1970, 1975 and 1997) and 6 Winter Universiades (1966, 1975, 1985, 2003, 2007 and 2013). The organisation of the Universiade in Naples in 2019 would be a unique opportunity to celebrate the 70th anniversary of FISU founded in Merano (ITA) in 1949 and the 60th anniversary of the first Universiade held in Torino (ITA) in 1959. City of nearly one million inhabitants and capital of the Campania region, which is one of the most important regions of Italy with nearly six million inhabitants, Naples is both a city of exceptional cultural richness, but also the seat of the Frederick II University, which was founded in 1224 and is the oldest public and secular university in the world.

The Universiade in Naples could be a springboard for many social, sporting and cultural projects for the region to plan for the next five years and would give an opportunity to one of the most important Italian student communities to participate in the development of such a large project.

FISU Media