Ministry of Sports of the Republic of Tatarstan

R. Minnikhanov: “2013 will go down in the Russian history as the year of Universiade”. Part 2

27 September 2013, Friday

2013 will go down in the Russian history as the year of the 27th World Summer Universiade, a largest sporting and cultural event of a global scale. President of Tatarstan, R. Minnikhanov, said it in his annual address to Tatarstan’s parliament, State Council, taking place at the Saidashev Concert Hall in Kazan.

Parliament speaker, Farid Mukhametshin, traditionally announced the 43rd session’s agenda. Attendees at the meeting are Tatarstan Prime Minister, Ildar Khalikov, Russian Federal Assembly upper and lower houses deputies from Tatarstan, members of Russian government, heads of regions and federal authorities executives.

“Five years ago, the decision to host Universiade in Kazan in 2013 was made, 40 years after the Student Games in Moscow. It was possible owing to the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, government chairman, Dmitry Medvedev and International Student Sport Federation’s support,” R. Minnikhanov began his speech. He thanked the Universaide organising committee chairman, government of Russia first deputy chairman, Igor Shuvalov, and Russia sports minister, Vitaly Mutko, for their active assistance in the preparation for the games.

Tatarstan’s government, Kazan Mayor’s Office and Tatarstan regions had done a lot of work, he went on to say.

“Nobody was left uninvolved, we worked as one coherent team,” enhanced R. Minnikhanov. Because of Universiade, the republic had obtained a strong sports infrastructure, new stadium compliant with international requirements, renovated airport, high-speed aeroexpress, new railway station, metro station and modern road junctions, he stated.

“The country’s best student campus was built in the Universiade Village. Kazan has transformed beyond recognition. The words that Kazan is an advanced European metropolis are no longer an ambitious goal but largely a reality,” President of Tatarstan claimed.

Universiade had been a serious test in terms of ensuring security, he went on to say. “The concerted effort of the law enforcers ensured success in the preparation for and holding of the World Student Games, and was appreciated by the country’s leaders and international organisations. Universiade in Kazan has been acknowledged as the best in the history of World Student Games,” said R. Minnikhanov, after which thanked everybody for support in the holding of Universiade in Kazan.

IA Tatar-inform

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