2009 Summer Universiade: Update
November 27th, 2007
F.l.t.r.: Tamaro Kostro, Nebojsa Ilic, Vlajko Senic, Zoran Jovanovic
'Preparations for the 25th Universiade Belgrade 2009 are taking their final course as Belgrade took over the FISU flag this Summer and Belgrade and Serbia will be the hosts of the largest sports competition in its almost 50 year long history', said the organizers at yesterday’s press conference announcing the 'Week of European and World Student Sports' that will involve The First Official Visit of FISU, the General Assembly of EUSA. Universiade Belgrade 2009, in the presence of Serbian sportsmen and Sports Associations, will sign the contracts with Chairs of 21 sport competitions, which is a record number of sports on a Universiade programme, bearing in mind that Bangkok (2007) had 18, while Izmir (2005) 15. These 21 sports will cover over 200 disciplines which young athletes from around the World will compete in. Announcing the First Official Visit of FISU, which will take place in Belgrade from December 1st to 2nd, Mr. Zoran Jovanovic, Executive Director of UB2009 and FISU Technical Chair for Basketball, said: ’We hope to receive positive mark from the FISU Inspection in order to continue preparing for the Universiade, an event significant for the development and promotion of our country. This is the First Official Inspection of FISU, whose task it is to monitor the flow of preparations and the fulfillment of FISU standards and requirements.’ The Inspection will be lead by FISU President, Mr. George E. Killian, who will also visit the construction site of the Athletes' Village as well as the sports venues. During his stay Mr. Killian will also meet with the highest government representatives of Serbia in order to discuss the proceedings of the preparations. State Secretary for Sports, Mr. Vlajko Senic, pointed out that the 'Week of European and World Student Sports' is another aknowledgment for Belgrade and Serbia as well as a reminder of how important the Universiade is for their sport, economic and social development. During the 'Week of European and World Student Sport', Belgrade will also be the host of the 9th EUSA General Assembly which will gather representatives from over 39 european countries. During a two-day session EUSA will hold its Elections on the 1st of December.
