THE Federation of International University Sports (Fisu) has encouraged South Africa to bid for the 2017 World Student Games.
Sowetan has learnt that Fisu general secretary Eric Saintrond met the leadership of University Sport South Africa (USSA) last week to discuss the matter. Saintrond was in Durban for the International Olympic Committee conference where world leaders indicated they will support South Africa's bid for the 2020 Olympic Games.
"It is true we met the leadership of South African sports to discuss the 2017 World Student Games regarding the possibility of hosting them in Durban," Saintrond said. "We also had the opportunity to assess the facilities that can be used by Durban for the World Student Games and I must say that I was highly impressed with what I saw.
"It was my first visit to South Africa and you guys have some of the best facilities in the world, especially the Moses Mabhida Stadium and International Convention Centre.
"The South African sports leadership told us that some of the universities in Durban will also be utilised. The swimming pool in Durban will also be renovated.
"The deadline to submit the bid is May next year and we want to be the first organisation to host a multi-coded sporting event in SA," he said.
The USSA delegation that met Saintrond included its chairperson Rendani Mulaudzi and Fisu board member Malumbete Ralethe.
"We are encouraged by the support from Fisu and we are going to meet various stakeholders, including the government," Ralethe said yesterday.
World body backs SA bid for 2017 Student Games
THE Federation of International University Sports (Fisu) has encouraged South Africa to bid for the 2017 World Student Games.
Sowetan has learnt that Fisu general secretary Eric Saintrond met the leadership of University Sport South Africa (USSA) last week to discuss the matter. Saintrond was in Durban for the International Olympic Committee conference where world leaders indicated they will support South Africa's bid for the 2020 Olympic Games.
"It is true we met the leadership of South African sports to discuss the 2017 World Student Games regarding the possibility of hosting them in Durban," Saintrond said. "We also had the opportunity to assess the facilities that can be used by Durban for the World Student Games and I must say that I was highly impressed with what I saw.
"It was my first visit to South Africa and you guys have some of the best facilities in the world, especially the Moses Mabhida Stadium and International Convention Centre.
"The South African sports leadership told us that some of the universities in Durban will also be utilised. The swimming pool in Durban will also be renovated.
"The deadline to submit the bid is May next year and we want to be the first organisation to host a multi-coded sporting event in SA," he said.
The USSA delegation that met Saintrond included its chairperson Rendani Mulaudzi and Fisu board member Malumbete Ralethe.
"We are encouraged by the support from Fisu and we are going to meet various stakeholders, including the government," Ralethe said yesterday.
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