Η Γενική Συνέλευση της EMCA στη Βουδαπέστη
Η Έκτακτη Γενική Συνέλευση της European Multisport Club Association (EMCA), της οποίας έχω την τιμή να είμαι Πρόεδρος, ολοκληρώθηκε με επιτυχία στη Βουδαπέστη! Γιορτάσαμε 11 χρόνια δυναμικής παρουσίας στον πολυαθλητισμό της Ευρώπης, με τη φιλοξενία του ιστορικού συλλόγου Ferencváros, που φέτος κλείνει 125 χρόνια αθλητικής αριστείας. Στη συνέλευση, αναδείξαμε τη σημασία της συνεργασίας και της ενότητας, ενώ θέσαμε τις βάσεις για ένα βιώσιμο και πολλά υποσχόμενο μέλλον. Ευχαριστούμε όλα τα μέλη μας για την αφοσίωση και τη στήριξή τους. Μαζί, συνεχίζουμε να χτίζουμε το μέλλον του αθλητισμού στην Ευρώπη!
The Extraordinary General Assembly of the European Multisport Club Association (EMCA), where I have the honor of serving as President, successfully concluded in Budapest! We celebrated 11 years of multisport excellence in Europe, hosted by the historic Ferencváros club, marking their 125th anniversary. During the assembly, we emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation, while laying the groundwork for a sustainable and promising future. A big thank you to all our members for their dedication and support. Together, we are building the future of sports in Europe!
Dear colleagues, friends, and members of the European Multisport Club Association.
Chers amis et collègues francophones, je vous souhaite également la bienvenue à cette Assemblée Extraordinaire.
It is a great honor and pleasure to welcome you all to the EMCA Extraordinary Assembly here in Budapest. Today, we gather in these beautiful facilities, marking an important moment for our Association, which has been serving the multisport community for 11 years. Over the past decade, EMCA has grown, achieved great things, and strengthened its presence in Europe, all thanks to the collective efforts of our members and supporters.
First and foremost, I would like to express my deep gratitude to my dear friend Balint and the Ferencváros team for the exceptional hospitality they have shown us during our stay here at their world-class facilities. It is a true honor for us, both as an Association and for me personally as President, to be here with one of the founding members of EMCA, Ferencváros, as they celebrate 125 years since their establishment. This historic multisport club represents excellence, tradition, and a deep commitment to sport, and we are proud to share this significant milestone with them. Thank you, Balint, for your outstanding hospitality and for making this gathering a memorable and meaningful occasion.
In the last year, as President, I have worked closely with all the members of our Board of Directors to build on the strong foundation of our Association. Together, we have focused on securing the future and sustainability of EMCA. Our collective efforts have been aimed at creating new opportunities, strengthening cooperation between members, and promoting the values of multisport across Europe. Moving forward, I am committed to continuing this collaborative work with our Board and all members to ensure that we innovate, grow, and adapt to the evolving needs of our community. These efforts are a shared commitment to ensuring that EMCA remains a central pillar of European sport for many years to come.
I would like to share with you the message of our Honorary President, Mr. Federico Eighbarg. Federico sends his warmest wishes for a successful and productive Extraordinary Assembly. Unfortunately, he cannot join us today due to his increased responsibilities in the Ministry of Commerce of Italy. However, his thoughts and support are with us. Federico was one of the founders of EMCA, representing the club Lazio, which continues to be an integral part of our Association. Lazio is currently represented on the board by Gabriella Bascelli, their Director of Marketing and Communications. Unfortunately, Gabriella could not join us today due to a serious back surgery, which was, thankfully, completely successful. We wish Gabriella a speedy recovery, and she will be with us in the coming days, especially for those who will attend the teqball event in Piraeus. Gabriella has been a key player in the development of EMCA, not only as a representative of Lazio but also through her personal contributions over the years. We look forward to welcoming her back soon.
One of the core missions of EMCA is to promote the principles of multisport, which include teamwork, inclusivity, and the development of both body and mind through sports. We stand for the values of fair play, respect, and unity, ideals that are vital for building stronger, healthier communities across Europe. As an Association, we are proud to continue advancing these ideals, creating environments that bring people together through the universal language of sport.
From the beginning of our journey, we have been dedicated to addressing the challenges facing multisport clubs and seizing the opportunities that arise. In the past year, we have made significant progress by fostering greater cooperation between members, promoting educational and sporting initiatives, and elevating our presence on the European stage. Our Association is built on the belief that sports contribute to physical, mental, and moral well-being. We promote inclusive access to sport for all, focusing on areas such as youth development, social inclusion, and gender equality. Yet, we know our work is far from finished—there is always room for innovation, for bringing new ideas to life, and for growing together as an Association.
As we look to the future, I am filled with hope and optimism. Together, we will continue to secure the sustainability, progress, and growth of our Association. We are driven by the values that EMCA represents—values of inclusivity, solidarity, and excellence in sport. These are not just words; they are the foundation upon which we will continue to build. Our shared vision is what moves us forward, and I truly believe that by staying united, we will create an even stronger Association that will inspire generations to come.
I would like to take a moment to thank Ivo le Losteque, who has just spoken. Ivo has been a very important figure qnd friend within the European Commission for many years, and his contributions have played a significant role in the growth and development of sport across Europe. Now that he is retired, I want to acknowledge and deeply appreciate all that he has done to support our efforts. Merci beaucoup, Ivo, pour tout ce que vous avez fait. Votre travail a vraiment aidé notre communauté sportive. Thank you, Ivo, for your dedication, and for your commitment to the principles we stand for.
Finally, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all of you—our members—for your dedication and cooperation throughout this past year. Your ideas, suggestions, and unwavering support have been essential to our progress. Our unity and teamwork are the driving forces behind our success.
In closing, let us remember that our mission is not limited to today’s gathering. Together, we will continue to face every challenge with strength and determination, and I am excited for the future we are shaping. The work we do today lays the foundation for tomorrow’s successes. The next years will bring even greater opportunities and triumphs for EMCA, and together, we will ensure that our Association remains a strong presence in sport across Europe.
L’avenir est brillant, et je suis sûre qu’EMCA continuera à grandir et à mener le développement multisport pour de nombreuses années à venir.
Thank you all, and I wish you a productive assembly.
EMCA, EUROPEAN MULTISPORT CLUB ASSOCIATION, Νέα, Χριστίνα Τσιλιγκίρη