Ilsur Metshin about the World Cup-2018

Kazan is often called the sports capital of Russia. Indeed, the cult of sport, the cult of a healthy lifestyle reigns in our city now. Every third Kazan citizen regularly engages in physical culture and sports. This is twice as many as 5 years ago. The extensive sports infrastructure was created in the city, one of the best in Russia.

A huge role in the enthusiasm for a healthy lifestyle has been played and continues to be played by major international competitions. The Universiade-2013, which was held in Kazan, became a national scale project, which Claus Louis Gallen, the President of the FISU, called “the best Universiade ever held”.

Football has a special love and popularity in Kazan, as in many other cities. Citizens are rooting for their team “Rubin”, watching all major international matches. They know all the leading players of the planet by the names.

Therefore, the World Cup is not just a global competition for Kazan. This is a great sports holiday. It is a dream that becomes a reality. It is a great honor for our city.

Today, whole Kazan lives in anticipation of the FIFA World Cup-2018. Transport companies, hotels, restaurants, not to mention stadiums and sports facilities, are actively preparing for the World Cup.

I am confident that this event of a global scale will contribute to strengthening the traditions of this sport in Russia and will have a significant impact on promoting healthy lifestyles, promoting the ideals of a sport among the entire population of our vast country. I have no doubt that the FIFA World Cup will be one of the brightest pages in the sporting history of Kazan and in the lives of all the fans without exception.