President Matytsin unveils FISU Global Strategy at 35th General Assembly

Other notable events from the full day of meetings saw the passing of term and age limits for Executive Committee Members and the confirmation of Cape Verde, Kosovo, the Marshall Islands, and São Tomé and Príncipe as FISU members

TAIPEI – Ahead of the Taipei 2017 Summer Universiade Opening Ceremony, FISU President Oleg Matytsin revealed the organisation’s ten-year global strategy to the General Assembly.

After welcoming delegates to Taipei, President Matytsin announced FISU’s bold vision, which focuses on eight key areas: delivering major sporting events, spreading education through sport, enhancing culture, building dual career programmes, cooperating with international organisations, developing FISU’s global network, promoting sport through direct relationships with universities, and further improving financial and human resources.

President Matytsin addresses the 35th General Assembly members with his Presidential Report in Taipei City 

Nine proposals, including the global strategy, were put to a vote and passed. Among these were a five-term limit for Executive Committee members as well as an age limit for members running for election. The measures will ensure good governance and ensure FISU continues to lead by example among university sport bodies.

“Our strategy is a comprehensive action plan that will bring great value to both Continental and National Federations, and can provide as a common focus for better communication between the national university sports associations and FISU,” President Matytsin said.

Specifics of the global strategy included delivering an increase intra-university competitions, strengthening educational events, and teaming up with outside organisations such as the IOC, ANOC and UNESCO. Over 100 people from 50 countries came together to influence the plans, which will now undergo final improvements before the official action plan is rolled out in March 2018.

79 countries were present for the first day at the FISU General Assembly in Taipei 

As part of his presentation, President Matytsin also talked about representing the millions of university students across the world who enjoy sport recreationally, as well as the elite performers attending Universiades and World University Championships.

“There are tens of thousands of participants at our events, but there are 150 million or more students around the world and many of them practise sports themselves. I believe that our structure should reach out to them all,” he said.

Secretary General Eric Saintrond highlighted the success of FISU’s 3×3 World Basketball League, also praising the National Federations for their support of initiatives such as “the “International Day of University Sport” in his report, while calling for more women to be appointed and elected to leadership positions throughout the organisation.

 FISU CEO Eric Saintrond provided a comprehensive overview of the works and activities of FISU

Earlier this week in Taipei, the FISU Executive Committee approved the applications for four countries to become members of the International University Sports Federation. Today at the Assembly, Cape Verde, Kosovo, the Marshall Islands, and São Tomé and Príncipe were all confirmed, raising FISU’s total numbers of members to 173.

The Taipei 2017 Summer Universiade will begin on 19 August, celebrating sport education and culture with more than 7,700 students from 150 countries competing.