Kazan 2013 Directorate Supervisory Board discusses Games competition programme

A regular meeting of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate Supervisory Board was held via video conferencing between Kazan and Moscow on Wednesday, December 5.

The video conference with Chairman of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate Supervisory Board Vitaly Mutko saw the participation of President of the Republic of Tatarstan and Deputy Chairman of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate Supervisory Board Rustam Minnikhanov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan Asgat Safarov, Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin as well as senior executives of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate. Attending the meeting at the Moscow office were State Secretary/Deputy Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation Natalia Parshikova, Russian Student Sports Union President Oleg Matutsin, Tatarstan's Minister of Youth Affairs, Sports and Tourism Rafis Burganov, Director General of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate Vladimir Leonov and representatives of federations for summer sports. 

Vitaly Mutko said in his opening speech: "In the next 3-4 years Russia will be the leading nation in terms of hosting major international events that's why we need to hold the Universiade at the highest level. Surely, huge work is underway to get the infrastructure ready for the Games but the competition programme, as well as the preparation of Russian national team, are the most important part of the build-up. "

According to Rustam Minnikhanov, 16 working groups chaired by members of the Republican Government and heads of engaged departments were launched to address operating issues arising in the run-up to the Summer Universiade. President of Tatarstan also noted that a few issues emerged in the preparation for the Games but all procedures and mechanisms are currently being elaboratec. Rustam Minnikhanov said that perparation of all Universiade venues is well on track in accordance with the approved schedule. The Gymnastics Centre, the 28th venue of the 27th Summer Universiade, has been recently inaugurated; construction of two other venues - Aquatics Palace and 45-seat football stadium - goes according to the plan. "We must complete the stadium by March to start its adjustment for the Opening/Closing Ceremonies," said Rustam Minnikhanov. In addition, the President said, reconstruction work at 18 out of 20 existing venues nears final stages. Competition venues and practice facilities will be handed over to the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate on May 15 and June 1 respectively. 

Rustam Minnikhanov also informed that the new terminal of the Kazan International Airport already opened its gates for international flights on December 1. Agreements were also reached with Moscow's airports concerning the cooperation in providing transportation services to everybody coming for the Games in Kazan. "The modernisation funds were used for updating the medical ambulance fleet that will be providing services to athletes and Games visitors," the President said. 

According to Vladimir Leonov, Director General of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate, 87 countries already confirmed their participation in the forthcoming Summer Universiade and submitted online accreditation forms at www.kazan2013.ru or www.kazan2013.com. He also said that the organisers started testing the Games management system and added that 10 test events were held in the year 2012. After all venues will be tranferred to the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate, dress rehearsals of the busiest competition days of the Games, when 10-19 sport sessions will be held at once, as well as the Opening Ceremony day will be held to check the operational readiness of all functional areas. 

The agenda addressed the preparation of judges - both international and national ones - for the Games. Judges and referees will be accommodated at motor ships moored at the river port of Kazan; Forward Company will supply judges with two sets of uniform. 19 workshops are scheduled to be held in January-July, 2013 to help judges to upgrade their skills ahead of the Games. Amendments to competition regulations and other changes will be also discussed there. Vladimir Leonov said that training of sports managers for sports - professionals that understand the special nature of a speciffic sport - is of great importance. 

Remebering that today is International Volunteer Day, members of the Supervisory Board also addressed volunteer training ahead of the Games. "Test competitions and other events, that we have held, demonstrated how valuable volunteers are. We would like to thank them and announce that over 41,000 candidates have already applied as volunteers for the Universiade," said Vladimir Leonov. He also added that active work is carried out regarding broadcasting of the 2013 Summer Universiade events. ANO Sports Broadcasting will supply a TV signal while EuroSport will provide up to 60 hours of live coverage and broadcast Universiade diaries. 

"The Universiade is the country's reputation, a global project; plenty of preparatory work has been done that's why sports federations need to take an active part in the development of the Universiade competition programme," said Vitaly Mutko to representatives of federations.