32nd FISU General Assembly

Honorary President Killian & President Gallien

SHENZHEN – The second day of the 32^nd FISU General Assembly started with newly elected FISU President Claude-Louis Gallien asking the FISU membership to grant incumbent FISU President George E. Killian the title of Honorary President for all his dedication and commitment to sport and university sport in particular. Mr. Gallien’s proposal was accepted by the Assembly with acclamation.

‘I’ve been involved in university sport because it is a great way to have and effect on young people’, Mr. Killian said addressing the Assembly. ‘I encourage you to give your full support to the new President and the Executive Committee, because you have to work as a team to have progress. I wish Claude and his board well in their work as leading this organization is not an easy task.’

Mr. Killian received a standing ovation from the Assembly when returning to his seat.

Next the FISU Member Associations voted on a number of proposals and modifications of the statutes and internal regulations. The Assembly also voted to transfer the seat from Brussels, Belgium to Lausanne, Switzerland.

Next on the agenda was the final report of the 2011 Winter Universiade in Erzurum, Turkey. TUSF President Kemal Tamer introduced General Coordinator Bekir Korkmaz who presented the final report of the Organizing Committee of the 25^th Winter Universiade, thanking FISU for the trust inErzurum to bring the Games to a successful end.

Mr. Otmar Kugovnik, President of the Slovenian NUSF and Vice President of the Organizing Committee of the 26^th Winter Universiade inMaribor,Slovenia in 2013 presented a progress report of the preparations inMaribor.

Mrs. Marta Carranza, Secretary-General of CEDU, the Spanish NUSF gave an update on the preparations of the 2015 Winter Universiade inGranada,Spain.

Next, Mr. Laurent Briel, FISU WUC Director gave an overview of the upcoming World University Championships in 2012. 28 WUCs are attributed.

Then the floor was given to Yun-Suk Kim, the Secretary-General of the Organizing Committee of the 28^th Summer Universiade inGwangju,Korea in 2015 who also gave an update of the preparations.

Mrs. Regina Khisamutolinova, Leading Expert of the International Department of the EC of Kazan 2013, introduced the city of Kazanto the Assembly and gave an update of the city’s progress to host the 27^th Summer Universiade in 2013.

FISU President Gallien (r) receives a gift from AIPS President Merlo (l)FISU Vice-President Leonz Eder, Chair of the FISU International Press Committee introduced Gianni Merlo, AIPS President who elaborated on the Young Reporters’ Program, a joint project between FISU, AIPS and the LOC. ‘Our profession is changing’, Mr. Merlo said to the Assembly. ‘We are glad FISU accepted to develop with us this new program. The relationship between our two federations is an important one. It will bring a new boost to culture and sport.’

‘We have found a strong partner in AIPS’, FISU President Gallien added. ‘FISU is more than sport, it is also culture and education.’ The young journalists will attend workshops in the morning and will go on assignments afterwards to the different sport venues. They will report to their respective media and to FISU, AIPS and LOC media. A daily AIPS newsletter with articles, photos and videos will be mailed to more than 30,000 contacts.

Mr. Gallien, the delegate of Kenya, Mrs. Kabenge & Mrs. Burk

Verena Burke, Chair of the Women’s Committee elaborated on the Women’s Committee activities and the ‘FISU Women and Sport Award’, which was attributed to the NUSF of Kenya for ‘The Women’s Sports Day’.

Mr. Kim, FISU Assessor awarded the Daegu Scholarship Award to three student-athletes, i.e. Sarah Nanbawa (UGA), track and field; Sergio Franco (POR), rugby 7; Sarita Morales Brenes (CRC), track &field.

Mr. Gallien and Mr. Kim with the Daegu scholarship laureats

Finally, Alf Laser (AUS) was invited to the stage by Mr. Gallien. Mr. Laser’s first involvement in FISU was at the 1973 SU inMoscow. The former board member was granted the title of Emeritus Honorary member of FISU. ‘This is an acknowledgement of the importance of volunteers as administrators’, Mr. Laser said. ‘I thank you for this great compliment. Being a volunteer administrator is a great value to society and will get you great satisfaction as well.’

This concluded the second day of the 32^nd General Assembly. President Gallien thanked all the delegates for their time and wished them good luck at the upcoming Summer Universiade.

C. Pierre, FISU Press Officer