FISU's Committee for the Development of University Sport met with continental bodies ©FISU

Leonz Eder, the chairman of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Committee for the Development of University Sport (CDSU), held meetings with several continental officials as the Taipei 2017 Summer Universiade continued.

Eder spoke with representatives from each of the five Continental University Sports Federations (CUSF) here, including European University Sports Association President Adam Roczek and secretary general Matiaz Pecovnik.

Alim Aluf Neto and Martin Doulton, Presidents of FISU America and Oceania respectively, were present with Federation of Africa University Sports representative Liberty Maizda and Shen Zhen, from the Asian University Sports Federation.

Eder was alongside Laurent Briel, FISU director for development and National University Sport Federation relations, and assistant Nicole Mangelschots.

They discussed FISU's support to the CUSF projects in 2018, while their organisation’s accreditation system was also assessed.

The system was launched in 2015 and was initially used for all World University Championships the following year.

It will be used for all FISU host activities, including the Summer and Winter Universiades from 2019 onwards.

The presentation of the remaining CUSF events in 2017 was also on the agenda, along with the signature of Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) between the CUSF and FISU.

FISU President Oleg Matytsin signed MoUs with the Oceania Continental University Sports Federation and FISU America last week.

It is hoped the agreements will help to boost collaboration between the bodies in the future.

The meetings took place alongside the ongoing Taipei 2017 Summer Universiade ©FISU
The meetings took place alongside the ongoing Taipei 2017 Summer Universiade ©FISU

Eder also met with the CDSU to discuss federation governance issues.

A joint FISU and CUSF vision for strategic dialogue was put in place, along with a forum to guide national bodies.

Analysis was also provided to the continental bodies to show their strengths and highlight any identifiable weaknesses in their strategies.

Discussions centred on three strategic areas, including the growth and development of the organisational structures and developing specific branding strategies. 

Enhancing the collaboration between FISU and the CUSFs was the third pillar outlined.

It is claimed the meeting will help FISU better understand the needs of all partners and to coordinate common actions.

Information was also provided on the FISU help programme, which has helped a total of 50 countries attend Taipei 2017.

A total of 24 from Africa and 10 from America and Asia benefited from the programme to attend the multi-sport event.

Five nations from Europe and one from Oceania were also assisted.