The event of the European Universities Games (EUG), jointly organized by the University of Debrecen and the University of Miskolc this summer, receives special attention at Hungary’s largest educational trade fair. It was announced at the trade fair opened on Thursday at Hungexpo that the organizers are now accepting applications from volunteers for the multisport event in July.
The International Education Trade Fair, Educatio, opened its doors on Thursday at Hungexpo in Budapest. The three-day program showcases Hungarian universities, primarily targeting high school students preparing for admission. One of the highlighted themes of this year’s event is the European Universities Games scheduled to take place between July 12 and 24. The University of Debrecen and the University of Miskolc are co-hosting the event.
In his opening speech at the trade fair, Balázs Hankó, State Secretary for Innovation and Higher Education at the Ministry of Culture and Innovation (KIM), also addressed the summer games. According to him, the EUG helps the two organizing institutions to become part of the TOP100 European universities.
During the press briefing on the Games, the State Secretary also emphasized the supporting role of the ministry.
The Ministry of Culture and Innovation supports the European Universities Games with 22 billion forints and allocates 2.5 billion annually for university sports, because sports provide strength and shape, as sports are the shaper of Hungarian higher education and national identity. Therefore, let this year be the year of sports and movement in Hungarian higher education as well – emphasized Balázs Hankó.
During the press briefing, Zoltán Bács, the Chancellor of the University of Debrecen, pointed out that currently, 7,500 foreign students from 139 countries are studying at the University of Debrecen. Regarding the organization of the EUG, they hope that the institution and Hungary will gain even more recognition in Europe.
We expect the participation of the largest number of athletes in the history of Hungary at the Games, and I believe we will provide them with unforgettable experiences. The opening ceremony will take place in Miskolc, while the closing ceremony will be in Debrecen, coinciding with the opening day of the Campus Festival. So, already seven years ago, we thought that an event of such magnitude, with over five thousand athletes, should be a truly worthy occasion, precisely at the time when Hungary holds the rotating presidency of the European Union – indicated the Chancellor of the University of Debrecen.
Zita Horváth, the Rector of the University of Miskolc, recalled that jointly with the University of Debrecen, they decided in 2017 to apply for the 2024 European Universities Games, considering the right to host the event as a significant success in sports.
We hope that the two universities, together with Hungary, will host an event that is a large-scale, beautiful sports event and one that has not yet taken place in our country. We are also preparing accompanying programs in both cities that can make the event even more colorful for both the participating athletes and their companions – said Zita Horváth.
I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Péter Juhász, the Secretary-General of the Hungarian University and College Sports Federation, expressed: In the summer of 2024 – right after the UEFA European Championship and before the Paris Olympics – Hungarian sports, especially university sports, will come into focus.
Our not-so-secret goal is to bring the best university athletes to Hungary and show Europe how much life and perspective there is in university sports. Today is an important milestone, as we have opened the volunteer application process. We will need about 1,500 helpers to realize this multisport event with 17 sports and two cities– revealed the details of the Secretary-General.
Domestic and international volunteers can register for the EUG on the official website of the Games.
For the 2024 European Universities Games, they are expecting more than 5,000 athletes from 40 countries and 450 universities to compete in a total of 17 popular sports in Debrecen and Miskolc from July 12 to 24.
