Igor Shuvalov: “All of Russia needs to be represented at Universiade in Kazan”

Rustam Minnikhanov attended a meeting of the Universiade organising committee in Moscow. People representing every part of Russia needed to be guests at World Summer Universiade in Kazan, first deputy prime minister of Russia, Igor Shuvalov, said at a meeting held by the Universiade organising committee in Moscow. Other attendees were governor of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, Russian communications minister, Nikolai Nikiforov, Russian sport minister, Vitaly Mutko, and others.

Russian sport minister reported on the course of preparing for the games, saying the preparation was in its final stage. By 15 May 2013, he said, all the sports facilities should be delivered to the Universiade Directorate on 29 June, the Universiade Village would be opened, he said, and on 29-30 June, the Russian national team would move in.

Visa-free travelling for the Universiade participants and visitors was being worked to, Igor Shuvalov said.

About 10 thousand athletes were planned to take part in the games, Russian sport minister reported.

“The US, Japan, China and Australia teams, who are ready to present their main rosters, have displayed particular pro-activeness,” V. Mutko said.

A total of 32 sports venues would be used for competitions, while another 17 for practicing; 2,430 referees would be involved, including 843 international and 1,587 domestic ones, he went on to say.

“We face two tasks, to hold Universiade well and achieve a high sports result for the Russian team,” V. Mutko enhanced.

The Goznak factory had produced medal prototypes, which the minister showed to the meeting.

Russia vice premier, Igor Shuvalov, suggested students from across Russia made a trip, to see the Kazan Universiade.

“Showing Kazan to Russians would be nice, and Universiade is a great reason. Let the entire country, from Kaliningrad to Kamchatka, be represented at the games. Kazan has things to show, its history, culture and a state-of-the-art infrastructure.”

Rustam Minnikhanov reported on the course of preparing for Universiade.

“The preparation proceeds as scheduled. All republican and city services are involved in the process. Fifteen working groups have been put together and an interagency action plan devised, to coordinate their work. Prime Minister of Tatarstan, Ildar Khalikov, coordinates the work,” R. Minnikhanov said.

The construction of the game’s main venue, a 45-thousand-seat stadium, would be finished by 1 March, he claimed. The experience gained during the construction could be applied in building other large sports facilities, he remarked.

In conclusion, I. Shuvalov said he would on 15 December make a working visit to Kazan, to hold a meeting of the games organising committee and tour the sports facilities, the President of Tatarstan’s press service reports.