MISKOLC – Miskolc, Hungary will host the 20th World University Orienteering Championship, under the main patronage of Hungary’s President, Mr. János ÁDER. On 25th April the Organising Committee (OC) discussed and presented the progress of the preparations of the event. The meeting was followed by a press conference.
Dr. Csaba DEÁK, chancellor of the University of Miskolc and president of the OC has told that the sport is a main field – besides education and research – at the host university. The University of Miskolc has already hosted the best student-athletes in orienteering, the Championship took place in Miskolc 30 years ago, in 1986. Its students have already participated at 9 WUCs, collecting 2 silver and 6 bronze medals.
József BUGÁR, president of the Hungarian Orienteering Federation reminded of the Orienteering World Championship in 2009 and Orienteering Junior World Championship, successfully hosted by Miskolc. He says that the particular and strong partnership between the University, the City, the Hungarian Orienteering Federation and the Hungarian University Sports Federation is a guarantee for the success.
Prof. Dr. Ádám KISS, president of the Hungarian University Sports Federation has mentioned that the 2016 WUC Orienteering will be the 12th FISU World University Championship to be organised in Hungary. International university sport is very important for the federation, its aim is to host at least one World University Championship in every even-numbered year and a European Universities Championship in every odd-numbered year. He is convinced that Miskolc was the best choice for hosting the 20th World University Orienteering Championship. HUSF President Mr. KISS also mentioned the importance of having Hungarian President Mr. János ÁDER as main patron of the event. The President is known for his commitment towards the protection of the environment, the main reason he supports the WUC Orienteering in Hungary.
Signing the partnership contract between OC and NOF
Gábor KISS, vice-mayor of Miskolc, underlined that the Championship is a high priority for Miskolc municipality. It is important to show as much as possible from the host city and university. Hopefully all participants will experience the hospitality of Miskolc and will return home with nice memories. The sprint – relay will be in the downtown, which will give a great opportunity to promote university sport and orienteering among the citizens.
Zoltán RAKACZKI, secretary general of the OC confirmed that already 27 countries registered for the event. The OC expects 30-35 countries and 300-350 participants. The registration is still open; countries who have not registered yet, but wish to participate are kindly invited to complete their entries. It is a tradition to organise a WUOC Tour during the Championship, which attracts spectators and gives more publicity for the event. He announced that the WOUC Tour will be the biggest Hungarian international orienteering event, the Hungary Cup, with 1,400 – 1,600 participants.
At the end of the press conference, a partnership contract was signed between the OC and the Hungarian Orienteering Federation which guarantees the highest standards regarding of the sport requirements and gives a financial support by the sports federation for the success of the Championship.
(Source: MESF)