The Winter Universiade is an event that brings together young and promising athletes from various countries and enhances their mutual friendship, trust and sports spirit. Furthermore, many athletes consider the participation at the Universiade as a significant landmark in their sports career.

Slovenia is the first among the new EU Member States to have presided over the European Union in the first half of 2008, and has introduced the Euro a year before that. The organisation of the Winter Universiade would represent an important milestone also in the field of youth sports as well as a significant incentive for further development of university sports culture.

The high importance of such event has been recognised also by the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia, the supreme legislative body of our state. For such reason, we have given our approval to the candidature to host the 2013 Winter Universiade in Slovenia. I believe that this is the best possible guarantee to organise the Winter Universiade in accordance with FISU expectations.

It will be a great honour for us if the University City of Maribor, already known to the world as a successful organiser of various sports events at the highest level, hosts the 2013 Winter Universiade. I am confident that our knowledge, experience and diligence will allow us organise a successful and memorable event.

France Cukjati, M.D.