Debrecen and Miskolc to organise the European Universities Games in 2024
The Hungarian delegation presented its joint bid to host the European Universities Games (EUG) to the European University Sports Association General Assembly on April 12th. This was the result of numerous agreements and on-site inspections by experts and EUSA leaders. Only two nations made it to the final phase based on their bids: Hungary (Debrecen-Miskolc) and Poland (Lodz) were competing in front of the EUSA Executive Committee for the right to host the 2022 and 2024 games. Hungary expressed its preference for the 2024 games, as it will be acting as the EU Presidency-in-Office in the second half of that year.
The success of this bid is thanks to the outstanding cooperation among the University of Debrecen, our university, the cities of Miskolc and Debrecen, and the Hungarian University Sports Federation. In the upcoming period the two universities and cities will be the focus of international attention among university and sports communities: places that promote sports, welcome young people, and are attractive to international students.
The support of the Hungarian government for this endeavour was expressed by Péter Sárfalvi Deputy State Secretary and four-time world champion pentathlete, while Zoltán Rakaczki, Commissioner for Sports of the Mayor of Miskolc was the moderator, while Dr. Mózes Székely, Secretary-General of the Hungarian University Sports Federation, accepted the document recognising the award of the right to organise the event. In his speech, he stressed that the chance to host the European Universities Games is a huge opportunity for university sports in Hungary. During the six years of preparation, the level of performance in the Hungarian University National Championships and in university sports associations is expected to rise, and – especially in Debrecen and Miskolc – talented athletes will study, while talented students will do sports.
Enikő Győri, Hungarian embassador to Madrid, was also present at the results announcement, and expressed her delight that it was in Spain that Hungary had succeeded in winning this opportunity for Hungarian higher education and sports life.