EUG2024: a huge field, an exciting "series of sporting events"

The Summer European University Games (EUG) could set a new record for the number of entries. The first phase of registration is now closed and preliminary entries suggest that the 2024 event could be the biggest and most popular EUG ever. The University of Debrecen is also preparing a number of sports programmes ahead of the event, which starts on 12 July.

The EUG2024, which starts in 154 days, is jointly organised by the University of Debrecen and the University of Miskolc, the municipalities of the two cities, the National Event Organisation Agency (NUE) and the Hungarian University and College Sports Association. Organisation work is proceeding according to plan, as confirmed by high-level representatives of the European University Sports Association (EUSA) during their recent visit to Debrecen.

The University of Debrecen will host the women's and men's futsal, football, handball, beach handball, 3x3 basketball, badminton and table tennis competitions, as well as the latter's parasport tournaments, in a great (sports) festival atmosphere and with excellent organisation mid-July.

It is interesting to note that the civic city of Debrecen will be the venue for the longer-running and very popular team sports. For example, the men's futsal teams will play eight days of football, the men's and women's football teams seven days each, and the handball and badminton teams will enjoy the hospitality and facilities of the University of Debrecen for six days each.

The first phase of applications has closed recently and UD Chancellor Zoltán Bács expressed his delight at the popularity of the event.

- Almost 6000 official participants representing 275 European universities have already registered. Almost half of the athletes and 40 percent of the accompanying staff entered for sporting events in Debrecen. In addition to the EUG we will also organise our traditional Campus Sports Festival between 22 and 24 July, so we expect 4,000 athletes and their companions to attend between 8 and 24 July in Debrecen alone - the Chancellor pointed out.

The head of the institute also underlined that the Campus Festival will start on 24 July this year, the first day of which will also be the closing event of EUG2024. Participants of the huge European sporting field, expected to reach a record size, will be able to relax after the competitions at one of the most prestigious international music festivals in Hungary.

In the spirit of EUG, the University of Debrecen's Sports Science Coordination Institute organises sporting events that are extremely popular among students every year, and of course, this year's events are no exception. This year, they can be seen as a kind of introductory event - László Balogh, Director of the Institute, gave detailed information on this.

- Ours will be the first time in the history of the European University Games that parasport competitors will be able to compete, and in this spirit we will organise our traditional parasport awareness day on 20 February. The grand final of the Buzánszky Cup, voted the best recreational sporting event in Hungary, will be held on 21 February, while the Medikus Cup will also come to Debrecen in April with around 3,000 participants, and we are counting on EUG volunteers to participate in this event," the Institute Director said.

László Balogh added: the European University Games will be present at all events of the Institute for Sports Science Coordination, and the organisers of the Games in Debrecen are working together in an exemplary way to prepare for the Games.

The Institute Director also mentioned that the István Nyirkos Sports Science Colloquium Day will be held in the spring, with the main theme of international sports science cooperation. The event will prepare the sports science conference that will take place during the EUG.

The last big visit of EUSA will take place on 13 and 14 February in Miskolc. This site visit will be attended by all organisers, i.e. NRA, MEFS and the full leadership of the organising committees of Debrecen and Miskolc, to discuss the remaining tasks.

The organizing team of the University of Debrecen is also looking for volunteers for the European University Games. All details are available on the event website.

Press Office- PKZs