«Supporting university sport means investing in the future of sport and in the future of our society»

Former FISU Executive Committee Member and current Portuguese Secretary of State for Sport, Pedro Dias dropped by FISU Headquarters in Lausanne.

As part of an official visit to Lausanne to attend meetings related to the Council of Europe’s Macolin Convention, the Portuguese Secretary of State for Sport, Pedro Dias, visited the headquarters of the International University Sports Federation, accompanied by Duarte Lopes, Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Secretary of State for Sport and FISU Executive Committee Member, as well as Rute Soares, Expert Advisor to the Portuguese Government on Integrity and Compliance in Sports.

The delegation was welcomed by Leonz Eder, FISU President, and Fernando Parente, FISU Deputy Secretary General. “Portugal is recognised within FISU as one of our most active and reliable members, contributing not only through events and programmes, but also through leadership within governing bodies”, said President Eder.  “It is a source of pride for FISU to see former Executive Committee Member Pedro Dias now serving as Secretary of State for Sport, while Duarte Lopes continues to contribute as a member of the FISU Executive Committee. This reflects the quality and credibility of Portuguese leadership in university sport.”

“Sport  in Higher Education is much more than competition », added Pedro Dias. “Universities are where future professionals, coaches, managers, researchers and leaders are educated and developed. Supporting university sport means investing in the future of sport and in the future of our society,” said Pedro Dias.

Portugal and FADU (Federaçao Academica do Desporto Universitario) will host two FISU World University Championships this season. First Orienteering in Vila Real (28 July to 1 August), then Beach Sports in Figueira da Foz from 17 to 22 September 2026.