Official attribution of the Universiade 2019 to the city of Naples

NAPLES – On 5 March 2016, the FISU Executive Committee has accepted to host the Universiade 2019 in the city of Naples and in the Region of Campania under a number of conditions.

From 25 to 29 April 2016, an Evaluation Committee appointed by the FISU Executive Committee and chaired by FISU First Vice President, Leonz Eder, paid a visit to Naples.

On 27 May 2016, the FISU Steering Committee (8 elected members of the FISU board composed of the President, the First Vice President, the four Vice Presidents, the Treasurer and the First Assessor), has received a positive report from the Evaluation Committee. Further to this, the FISU Steering Committee members have recommended to the other members of the FISU Executive Committee to proceed to a postal vote, before Monday 30 May (6pm), on the attribution of the Universiade 2019 to the CUSI and the Region of Campania. Saturday 29 May, during the press conference organized in Naples, the FISU President Oleg Matytsin had already received 15 positives votes and then was very pleased to confirm the official attribution of the Universiade 2019 to the city of Naples and the Region of Campania to the President of the Region Vincenzo De Luca.

 FISU President Oleg Matytsin (right) with Vincenzo De Luca, President of the Region (Campania)

The project of the Universiade in Naples is a very nice concept and will provide a fantastic legacy to the local community and the development of youth and sport in a very sport-oriented region with a large student community. The project also benefits from the great support of the Italian central government and Prime Minister Renzi, of all the universities in Italy, and also receives the active involvement of CUSI and a full support from CONI.

The main challenge will be the limited timelines, all the deadlines will have to be strictly respected and followed as agreed in the attribution contract.

The Universiade in Naples in 2019 will be a fantastic opportunity for FISU, CUSI and Italy to celebrate the 70th anniversary of FISU which was founded in 1949 in Merano and the 60th anniversary of the first Universiade which was organised in Turin in 1959.

The Press Conference 

Italy and CUSI have always played a significant role in the promotion and development of the University Sport Movement having hosted six (6) Winter Universiades and four (4) Summer Universiades. This confirms the strong support of the country to the values of sport and education that are symbolised by the FISU mottos: “Excellence in Mind and Body” and “Today’s Stars, Tomorrow’s leaders”.

FISU is convinced that, with the full involvement of the Campania Region and under the leadership of its President, Vincenzo De Luca, the Universiade in the Campania Region will be a fantastic project for the young generations, the local community and the entire country.