Napoli 2019 heading for a sprint finish!

NAPOLI – With five months to go before the Opening Ceremony of the Napoli 2019 Summer Universiade, the Organising Committee has received the green signal to go full steam ahead in completing all the work in progress in Naples and the entire Campania region.     

The FISU Summer Universiade Supervision Committee (CSU) completed a series of inspection visits and meetings before concluding that the progress is positive, although challenges remain in the limited amount of time left.

“Since my last visit a few months ago progress is very visible,” said Leonz Eder, Chairperson of the CSU, which took stock of venues, accommodation, restaurants, transport and security over two days. “There is now much more staff and many operational areas are improving. It will take a final sprint and then the Universiade will leave a lasting legacy for the cities of Naples, Salerno, Caserta and the entire region of Campania.”

Naples 2019 Special Commissioner Gianluca Basilealso underlined the importance of the Universiade for the Campania region. “It is an important opportunity for the Campania region and for the whole of Italy,” he said. “The team is growing and will continue to grow. Now the time has come to focus on being ready for July. We are putting in our final efforts and need to concentrate on facilities and services.”

“We welcome the CSU inspection visit with pleasure, to spur us on to go forward with passion,” he added.  

Among the Universiade venues visited was the University Sports Center CUS Salerno, which houses the structures that will host the training, qualifying and finals of the Fencing competition. This venue is expected to be fully ready by the first week of May.

Inspection was also carried out of the Arechi stadium in Salerno that will host the final of the football tournament and in all probability, also the Closing Ceremony. Here, the installation of 37,500 brand new seats is expected to be underway soon.

Adam Sotiriadis, Napoli 2019 General Coordinator called upon all stakeholders involved to ensure a strong sprint to the finish line. “These events need all the protagonists who have the same goal – the State, the Region, the Municipality, CUSI, everyone – to come together. We have just a few months left but we are optimistic about our mission and our dream of having a successful Universiade.”

The CSU delegation also visited some of the facilities that will host the Athletes’ Village, part of which will be on board two cruise ships. Leonz Eder, who is also the FISU First Vice-President was very optimistic about the accomodation for athletes. “It’s good news,” said Eder, “that there are two cruise ships for the village. We also visited some of the assigned hotels, although the exact number of participants will only be known closer to the inauguration of the Universiade.”

The multi-sport mega event that is the biggest world stage for university athletes will take place in Napoli and the surrounding Campania region from 3 to 14 July, 2019.