From the 19th to 21th October, EUSA Technical Delegates, Ms. Jelena Eric (TD for Beach Handball), Mr. Anton Fichtinger (TD for Beach Volleyball) and Mr. Mariano Carcatella (Assistant Sports Manager) did an inspection visit in Malaga in order to evaluate the readiness of the Organizing Committee and the facilities which will host the European Universities Beach Championships in September.
The Organisational Committee was represented by the team of University of Malaga, consisted of Mr. Hilario Sanchez Moreno (Director for Sports Service), Mr. Emilio Fernandez Rodriguez, (Deputy Vice-Rector for Sport), Mr. Manuel Trujillo Vargas, (Sports Technician) and Ms. Raquel del Río Lopez, (Translator and interpreter of the Sports Service).
The visit started on Wednesday afternoon. The two Technical Delegates attended some meetings with Mr. Antonio Domínguez Durán, Doctor at the Sports Service of the University of Malaga, where the medical plan was illustrated, and details and suggestions were discussed. The inspection visit then continued with a meeting with Mr. Pedro Muñoz, representative from Youth Association Intercambia, who presented the volunteer programme, stating that 20 international EVS Volunteers are foreseen join the local volunteers. They will work all together for one month at both of the championships.
On Thursday, EUSA representatives along with the Organizational Committee members visited the municipality of Rincón de la Victoria, the hosting place of Beach Volleyball Championship, where they were welcomed by Mr. Antonio Fernández, Representative of the Mayor of Town Hall of Rincón de la Victoria. After the meeting, the team inspected the venue site, two hotels as well as discussed in details the organisational plan for the Beach Volleyball tournament.
The visit then continued to the hosting site of Beach Handball tournament, the municipality of Torrox, where they met with Mr. Óscar Medina, Mayor of Torrox Town Hall and Mr. Jose Manuel Fernández, Sports Counsellor. After discussing the organisational matters, venue sites and different hotels were inspected.
Both municipalities expressed their full support of for the event and with competition venues in Rincón de la Victoria and Torrox. Around 450 athletes, 50 delegates and more than 100 volunteers are expected to take part of this Championship.
On Friday, the Inspection visit was wrapped up with a meeting in the premises of University of Malaga, where communications and media plan were discussed, as well as financial overview, progress details, future activities and other details around the overall operational and delivery plan. EUSA Sports Manager and Technical Delegates thanked the OC for the great meetings and the very good preparations. Furthermore, they highlighted that the most positive aspect of the event is the strong involvement and support of local stakeholders. This definitely creates high expectations and assures that Malaga will deliver a high-level event in 2023.