FISU Executive Committee meets in Taipei City – Day 1

TAIPEI CITY – Today, 19 October, the FISU Executive Committee met in Taipei City, host city of the 29^th Summer Universiade in 2017. The session began with the report of the President of FISU Oleg Matytsin. In his report, the FISU President presented the outlook for the university sports movement and welcomed the attribution of the 2019 Summer Universiade to Naples (ITA). He also noted that FISU had found some financial stability with the arrival of new partners.

Oleg Matytsin, FISU President

The President said FISU would work to introduce new formats and sports concepts including universities. It will not be a revolution but rather an evolution, as was the case with the World University League Basketball 3×3. These new formats will of course take into account the different structures of our federations and their timing. As was done with the 3×3, FISU is now in discussion with FIFA for the creation of a football league as well as the World Rugby Federation for introducing a Rugby 7 event. The President emphasized the need to strengthen links with universities. Likewise he pointed out the importance of a good cooperation with the International Olympic Committee, UNESCO and WADA. FISU must cooperate closely with these institutions to build educational projects that are the essence of the university sports movement. Finally, the President insisted on strengthening FISU’s communication policy to gain visibility.

The meeting continued with the report of FISU Treasurer Danzandorj Baysgalan. He also confirmed the restored financial stability thanks to the attributions of the 2019 Summer Universiade and the 2021 Winter Universiade as well as the arrival of new partners.

Eric Saintrond FISU SG/CEO

FISU Secretary General/CEO Eric Saintrond then introduced his report. He welcomed the fact that five Universiades are coming up which is great to secure the future of our federation. He emphasized the good cooperation of the FISU Secretariat with the various organizing committees and also added that five cities had already expressed an interest in the organization of the 2021 Summer Universiade. The SG/CEO also mentioned the progress of the construction of ‘Synathlon’ which will host the FISU HQ at the beginning of the year 2018. Finally, he was keen to put forward a long tradition that allowed FISU member associations to collaborate closer with FISU by hosting the meetings of the FISU Executive Committee. He therefore invited the NUSFs to share their commitment to organize such meetings in their country.

Shen Zhen (left) and Leonz Eder, presenting the CDSU report

Leonz Eder, the first vice President of FISU and the President of the Committe for the Development of University Sport (CDSU) presented the report of the CDSU. Mr. Eder pointed out the need for collaboration with the Continental Associations (CUSF). It is important to note that the Continental Associations are becoming more dynamic and grow in a very professional manner. The CDSU will continue to help CUSF supporting some of their projects, by setting up a swot analysis and organizing seminars. Similarly the CDSU will help member federations. To do so, a survey was launched with FNSU to better identify their needs and specificities. The results of this survey will better guide the development of policy towards FNSU. Moreover the help program for participation in the Taipei Summer Universiade will be launched in the month of December. Finally, as part of the next general assembly of the FISU to be held in Taipei in August 2017, the CDSU examines applications for membership from several countries.

Dejan Susovic and Verena Burk for the Media and Commuincation Committee report 

Verena Burk, 1st Assessor and Chair of the Media and Communication Committee and Dejan Susovic, COO of FISU and the Media Director then took the floor to present, among other things, the television communication plan for the next Winter Universiade to be held in Almaty in 2017. FISU will produce the images and almost all the competitions will be broadcast live. The timing and scoring will be provided by Swiss Timing which will facilitate the work of the teams on site. Ms. Burk and Mr Susovic also took the opportunity to dwell on television coverage during the Summer Universiade in Taipei. Finally Ms. Burk presented the Young Reporters’ Programme which will celebrate its fourth edition in Taipei in August next year.

Verena Burk, Chair of the FISU EDUC Committee and Kolë Gjeloshaj, Director of Education Services took the floor again. Both stressed the positive impact generated by the first edition of the ‘International Day of University Sport’ proclaimed by UNESCO and celebrated on 20 September. This first edition was celebrated by more than 60 member associations of FISU. It is also the result of the excellent cooperation between FISU and UNESCO. Moreover, members of the EDUC Committee also highlighted the anti-doping programme implemented jointly with WADA. These excellent results are placed in the context of strengthening relations with international organizations such as the Council of Europe in addition to those already mentioned above. The report also allowed to have an update on supervised and attributed educational events by FISU. It was also noted that the two upcoming Universiades (Almaty and Taipei) will each host an academic conference.

Hilkka Pöyhönen, Chair of the Student Committee presented the action plan of the Committee for the next four years, highlighting the following points: strengthening relations with international sports federations and youth organizations; developing skills of future youth leaders; ensure a better representation of students within continental and national federations and finally to increase the visibility of the FISU among the student community in particular using new means of communication.

Penninah Kabenge (left) with Rosaura Mendez presenting the report of the Gender Equality Committee 

Rosaura Mendez, Chair of the Committee for Gender Equality also took the floor together with Penninah Kabenge, the Vice-Chair, explaining the strategic plan for the period 2015-2019. Above all, Rosaura Mendez presented a statistical analysis related to the representation of women in the different structures of FISU. She took the opportunity to inform members of the launch of the next edition of the ‘Gender Equality’ Award which will be awarded at the next General Assembly and awarded to projects submitted by NUSFs supporting projects in the following new categories: university, national and continental.

The delegates of the Taipei 2017 Universiade Organising Committee

Finally to end the session of the first day, the members of the Executive Committee had the opportunity to listen to the progress report of the 29^th Summer Universiade to be held in August 2017. The Taipei delegation was comprised of SU Li-Chiung (CEO), Chuen-Ming HSUEH (Vice-CEO), Shih-Ming YOU (Deputy CEO), Maggie HSU (Director of the division of International Sport in the Ministry of education), Pei-Lin TSAI (Director of the competition sites), Fran Lee (Head of international Affairs, Chinese Taipei University Sports Federation) and LIN Yu-Jun (Deputy Director, for the media and public relations). The delegates of the 29th Universiade Organizing Committee reviewed all organizational aspects of the event indicating that the preparation was done according to schedule. This report followed the internal report of the FISU Supervision Committee and that of the International Technical Committee presented respectively by Leonz Eder and Jean-Paul Clémençon. These internal reports were very positive and the FISU President himself warmly thanked the delegates for their wonderful work. He was very confident in the success of this Universiade.

Yvan Dufour, Chief Editor