April 16, 2008

Slovenian University Sports Association (SUSA) hosted a 6-member Evaluation Commission of the International University Sport Federation (FISU) in the last few days in Maribor. The delegation inspected the capacities and the readiness of Maribor, Ruse and Zrece to organise the 26th Winter Universiade 2013 in Maribor, Slovenia. “You are not only ready; you have set a high standard for the upcoming organisers to follow as well. The commission will therefore fully support the candidature of Maribor to host the Winter Universiade in 2013,” said the Chairman of the Commission Mr Leonz Eder at the press conference today. The fat that Maribor and the partners are indeed ready, was also confirmed by the Mayor of Maribor Mr Franc Kangler, and the president of SUSA, prof. dr. Otmar Kugovnik, who both have stressed the big importance of the Universiade for the development of the region and the whole country.

The chairman of the FISU Evaluation commission Mr Eder also emphasised that the members of the commission were impressed by the support of the local communities, institutions on the local and national level, all universities and also students, which shows the desire and readiness to organise the Universiade. The synergy effects which the organisation of the Universiade will have on the region and the country as a whole have also been evaluated very positively. “Because of this, and the excellent technical capacities, we will recommend to the FISU Executive board to fully support the organisation of the 26th Winter Universiade 2013 in Maribor,” concluded Eder.

The President of SUSA, prof, dr, Otmar Kugovnik, explained among others that the evaluation of the delegation, is a key decision factor for FISU for justifying the organisation of the Universiade. The members of the Organising board are convinced that this year we will meet all the required criteria, and that the procedure of Slovenian candidature will be successfully concluded on May 31 in Brussels. By then, everything required for the final presentation before the FISU Executive Committee has to be done.

After the press conference, the members of the Evaluation commission and the representatives of the Organising committee visited the University of Maribor where a reception was held by the Rector prof. dr. Ivan Rozman. The delegation will conclude their evaluation visit today at an informal dinner.