The Committee discussed appointing the chairs of the various groups within FISU and proposed topics to be put on the agenda for the Executive Committee meeting in Brussels on March 4 and 5.

First vice-president Leonz Eder, vice-president Luciano Cabral, treasurer Danzandorj Bayasgalan and vice-presidents Marian Dymalski, Yang Liguo, and Leopold Senghor, all of whom were elected at the General Assembly, were in attendance along with first assessor Verena Burk.

Matytsin, who beatFrench incumbent Claude-Louis Gallien in the Presidential election at FISU’s General Assembly in Lausanne last month, heralded the meeting as an important first step as the body continues its transition under his leadership.

“It was important for the Steering Committee to meet right after the elections because half of the members are new to this Committee,” he said.

The first gathering of the Steering Committee came as the FISU formalised its purchase of the building at the University of Lausanne which will house its new headquarters.

Construction on the project is due to start in January and is expected to be completed by late 2017.

FISU will occupy the entire fourth floor and half of the third floor in the four-storey building, which also includes a conference and exhibition hall located on the ground floor.

The organisation will have a space of 1,600 metres squared at the headquarters, located at the entrance to the university’s campus and opposite the University Institute of Sports Science.

FISU is currently based at the Maison du Sport International in Lausanne, also home to a number of the International Federations and is located in close proximity to the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee.