For our country it would be a great honour and a pleasure to host the 26th Winter Universiade.

Our vast experience in organising major international sports events, our traditional hospitality and the prevailing sports spirit are the best guarantee that the Winter Universiade 2013 will be organised at the highest level.

The world university games offer the students not only the opportunities to measure their strengths in different sports, but also to make contacts with other young people from different countries and to socialise in the carefree spirit of youth.

In the world of the future, only friendship and co-operation will enable peaceful and prosperous coexistence of all nations and cultures. I therefore sincerely hope that Maribor and our nation will be given a chance to contribute to the further development of the international university sport by organising the Winter Universiade 2013.