To all National Federations:
From: Phil Chase, Chairman, IWSF World University Commission
Attached you will find the 1st Bulletin for the 2004 FISU World University
Championships, which will be held in Balakovo, Russia.
It goes without saying that the future of our sport as a member of the FISU family
will depend heavily on the participation at this tournament. FISU is concerned that the
lack of organized university programs throughout the world, will be restrictive in our
ability to field enough countries at a true world university championships. WE need to
prove them wrong.
As you have probably heard by now, this championship is NOT an IWSF event but a FISU
event. This is exactly the same situation we would have faced had we been accepted into
the 2004 Olympics. In Athens, we would have fielded teams under the banner of our various
National Olympic Committees. In Balakovo, we will do the same but, under the banners of
our "National University Sport Federations".
You can find the names and contact information for all National
University Sports Federations by clicking on this link. Please make contact with your
national university sports federation immediately and tell them you would like to put
together a team for these championships. In addition, I would appreciate you contacting me
with your intent to participate and of course will be happy to answer any questions you
may have.
19 countries participated in our 2002 event in Tianjin, China. In my view, we need to
double that to ensure continued participation in FISU.
You are invited to periodically visit the NCWSA homepage at http://www.ncwsa.com,/,
on which you will find a link to acess all information regarding the World
University Commission and the Championships.
THIS IS OUR CHANCE. For years we have talked and dreamed about being
recognized at this level. Now we have the opportunity to show the world that we are
deserving of that recognition.