Representatives of the National University Sports Association (NUSA) visited the cities of Debrecen and Miskolc in Hungary on 22-23 May to see the ongoing preparations for the European Universities Games 2024 (EUG2024), according to EUSA.

They were hosted by the Organising Committee and representatives of the European University Sports Association (EUSA) in a two-day programme of various activities, which started in Miskolc on Wednesday with the General Assembly in the meeting room of the Aurora Hotel. 

The participants were welcomed by speeches from Peter Juhasz, Secretary General of the Hungarian University Sports Federation (HUSF or MEFS in Hungarian), Szabolcs Biro, Managing Director of the Organising Committee (OC) of the European University Games 2024, OC Project Manager Laszlo Vegh, EUSA Sports Manager Miha Zvan and EUSA Consultant Natasa Jankovic. 

They expressed their conviction that the EUG2024 will be a success and pointed out the importance of cooperation between NUSA and university representatives before and during the Games. The strategic importance of hosting the event in two cities was noted, as was the responsiveness of the OC staff. Everyone involved in the organisation proved to be very helpful and willing, as well as committed and "in love" with the event itself.

NUSA representatives had an intensive two-day meeting in Hungary. EUG2024
NUSA representatives had an intensive two-day meeting in Hungary. EUG2024

The warm welcome was followed by a presentation from the OC staff, who will host more than 5,000 participants competing in 17 sports. They showed all the progress reports, including information on the accreditation system, registration, venues and disciplines, transport, accommodation, catering, volunteering, communications and marketing. This first part ended with a question and answer session. 

The second half of the day consisted of visits to the venues and facilities of the University of Miskolc campus, such as the dormitories, the catering area, the places designated for the NUSA offices and the accreditation centre, as well as the sports venues, such as the Generali Arena and the DVTK Arena, the venue of the opening ceremony. 

On 23 May, the attendees and the OC staff moved to Debrecen to visit the venues where the competitions will take place, followed by visits to the catering locations, offices, and rooms designated for NUSA, the Accreditation Centre and the dormitories of Debrecen University. The NUSA representatives also had the opportunity to inspect and get more detailed information about the courts and competition areas.

The meeting was very productive in the run-up to Debrecen-Miskolc. EUG 2024
The meeting was very productive in the run-up to Debrecen-Miskolc. EUG 2024

At the end of the day, NUSA and EUSA representatives shared their impressions and enjoyed a question and answer session with the EUG2024 Organising Committee to learn more about the operational details in order to make the most of this summer's two-week event. 

The NUSA coordination meeting is an important checkpoint before the European Universities Games, which will take place in Debrecen-Miskolc, Hungary, from 14 to 24 July. Representatives from the Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, Croatia, Germany, France, Portugal, Norway and Turkey attended this NUSA Coordination Meeting, together with some representatives from next summer's FISU World Universities Games. 

The European Universities Games in Debrecen-Miskolc are organised under the licence of the European University Sports Association (EUSA) by MEFS, the University of Debrecen, the University of Miskolc, the City of Debrecen and the City of Miskolc in cooperation with several partners, including the National Event Agency, and co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.