On behalf of the Slovenian University Sports Association I have the great honour of submitting the bid for the organisation of the 26th Winter Universiade 2013 in the University City of Maribor.

In 2007, our federation celebrated its 10th anniversary of foundation and membership in the FISU family. In our short history, SUSA has become one of the most successful university sports federations in Europe in terms of organisation, participation and the number of medals gained.

Slovenia started to participate at the Winter Universiades in 1995 and since then it has been present at all world winter university sports games with over 300 participants, who won 64 medals.

We consider the organisation of the Winter Universiade a national project, and are therefore extremely happy that this candidature got the highest support possible.

The Parliament of the Republic of Slovenia, The Government of the Republic of Slovenia, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, the City Council of the University City of Maribor, The Olympic Committee of Slovenia, the Slovenian universities and the Slovenian Student Union supported the bid unanimously and will be our main partners.

This and the fact that Slovenia and Maribor proved themselves as great organisers and hosts of many major international winter sports events in the past guarantee, that by attributing the organisation of the 26th Winter Universiade 2013 to Slovenia, the International University Sports Association can expect exemplary organised World winter university games.

prof. dr. Otmar Kugovnik, PhD