FISU VLA official closing ceremony takes place in Kazan city hall

 on July 8, the Kazan City Hall hosted the closing ceremony of the FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy, the first-ever forum for international sport volunteers. FISU President Oleg Matytsin awarded the most active delegates with valuable prizes and gifts. Also present at the ceremony were General Advisor to the FISU President Igor Sivov, Director General of the Directorate for Sports and Social Projects Azat Kadyrov and his Deputy Alexander Karpov.

At the official awards ceremony, five volunteers – Darya Trigubova (Belarus), Andrea Kontou (Cyprus), Joaquin Pritsch (Uruguay) and Lukáš Kendra (Slovakia) – were granted the right to take a course of study in one of the most prestigious US universities, a gift from Education First, FISU Partner.

Five more winners – the forum participants who got the highest number of points throughout the entire forum – were presented with the opportunity to volunteer at the 2017 Summer Universiade in Chinese Taipei as part of the FISU team. They are Shonisani Tikva (South Africa), Anett Fodor (Hungary), Anna Edes (EUSA), Timothy Derry (Trinidad and Tobago), María Badilla (Costa Rica).

"Each of you showed yourself in the best light. There are no losers, all of you are winners, and the best active sports volunteers on the planet. Each of you has a unique story and an incredible experience, everyone among you has come a long way to this forum. Today Russia celebrates the Day of Family, Love, and Faithfulness; and I would like to say that over this week we've also become a big family. The FISU family. And I sincerely hope that when you come home, you will promote and share the values of our organisation," said in his opening speech the FISU President.

Following the outcome of the vote of the speakers, lecturers and forum managers, Shonisani Tikva from South Africa and Anett Fodor from Hungary have received the traineeship and grants. Timothy Derry from Trinidad and Tobago was at the top of the overall rating. Darya Trigubova (Belarus), Andrea Kontou (Cyprus), Joaquin Pritsch (Uruguay), and Lukáš Kendra (Slovakia) were also noticed by the organisers: they were granted the EF Education First grants for study.

"I am deliriously happy to be here. It's the most valuable and extensive experience for me. I've become the fan of sports, student movements, FISU and its values. Your origin, skin color, nationality and religion makes no difference for the International University Sports Federation. What's in your heart - that's what really matters. And our hearts beat in the rhythm of Gaudeamus (the official anthem of the International University Sports Federation - editor's note)," said the winner Timothy Derry.

"This one-week stay has certainly united us. I would never believe I could ever make so many friends in such a short time. It feels we know each other for ages, we are so close now, and we have so much in common. I'm grateful to FISU and the Organising Committee for the opportunity to be in the central hub of world sport, and to be surrounded by the close friends," said Darya Trigubova.

Volunteers of the forum, organisers and team attachés were also rewarded for their hard work during the closing ceremony. FISU handed special prizes to the organisers and managers of the forum.

“The forum was a success. When last year we only started to initiate the project, I was very nervous. We wanted to make a special event for the best volunteers from all parts of the world. But at the same time it was important to develop the educational part of the forum as the main goal of the forum is to teach volunteer leaders and to ensure exchange of experience and ideas. Now we can say with confidence: everything worked out really well. Yes, it was a challenge: over six months of preparation for one week of the forum. But it was worth it; we did it. Now I hope that the forum will become traditional and Kazan will keep welcoming visitors from all around the world,” said Timur Tufetulov, the forum participants relations coordinator and active member of the Kazan Volunteers movement.

As was reported earlier, the forum ran from July 2 to 8 and brought together more than 100 best representatives of volunteer movements from 91 countries of the world. During the forum, the delegates learned the basics of sports management, volunteer recruitment and management at major international events. The forum was held at the Volga Region Academy of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism.