Covenant on student sports signed

With the covenant, the organizations hope to do something about the long waiting lists at student sports clubs. These are only expected to grow as more students come to live in the Utrecht Science Park.

To give more students the opportunity to play sports, the facilities at the Utrecht Science Park should be used more efficiently. Students should also be able to make more use of municipal facilities. The covenant suggests, among other things, the possibility of a second 'student sports hub' in Utrecht next to Olympos and of 'annexes' of student sports associations at other associations' in the city. Conversely, Utrecht residents might be able to go to sports center Olympos outside peak hours.

In addition, mbo students should get more in touch with the sports on offer in Utrecht. According to the signatories, sports are essential for the well-being of all students.

The covenant comes shortly after all the fuss about an impending end to the subsidy for student sports. Minister Bruins wants to “tolerate” subsidies for student sports for the time being. But the initiative for the covenant was already taken last year by the Sportraad Utrecht, which represents all student athletes in Utrecht. Given the great shortage of sports facilities for students, the Sportraad wanted all parties who could do something about it around the table. The Sportraad also foresees problems when work starts on the necessary renovation of the Olympos sports center.

The covenant was signed Monday before the start of the first UUlympics, a field day for students and employees of Utrecht University.