PCU Games 2016 Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony of the 2016 PCU Games was held in the University of Antwerp City Campus, Antwerp, Belgium, on Wednesday, April 27, 2016.

 

The Opening Ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Sports of the City of Antwerp, Ludo Van Campenhout, the Honorary Rector of the University of Anwerp, Professor Baron F. Van Loon, representatives of the Panathlon family, guests of the Antwerp University Association, members of the Antwerp student sports council, members of the 2016 PCU Games Organising Committee and all participants.

 

The Ceremony started with the introduction of the President of the PCU Committee Mr. Peter Verboven. He emphasized that 2016 is an important year in the history of the PCU Committee with two new initiated events this year, a Drawing Contest and a Tennis Tournament in Russia. Furthermore, the PCU Games will remain free of participation costs and will keep on guaranteeing a platform where students can interact within the framework of Fair Play and Universal Frienship.

 

The Honorary Rector of the University of Antwerp, Baron Francis Van Loon highlighted in his welcoming words the importance of the PCU Games for the University of Antwerp. He also mentioned that the PCU Games offer a platform where sport is considered as a valuable instrument to develop international interaction and experience.

 

Followed by short movie about Antwerp, the welcoming of the Mayor of Sports of the City of Antwerp, Mr. Ludo Van Campenhout, was devoted to the City of Antwerp and the history of the PCU Games as a part of the Olympic Movement. He welcomed the PCU Games back home and reminded that in 1999 it was started as an initiative of Belgian and Dutch students, “European Student Football Championship”.

 

The Student Hymn “Gaudeamus Igitur” and the Oaths of the Players and Referees traditionally sounded at the Ceremony.

 

Some practical information was given by the Coordinator of the Organisation Committee of the PCU Games Mr. Nils Van de Velden

 

Finally the Official Opening of the 2016 PCU Games was made by the President of the PCU Games Council, Dr. Bahram Ghadimi.

 

Enjoy the Games and stay tuned for the results soon!