Universiade-2013 first object opens in Kazan

A solemn opening ceremony of the World Universiade-2013 in Kazan sport object – sport complex “Zilant” has been held today on Mavlyutova St. in Kazan.

Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev, the Russian Federation President’s aide Alexander Abramov, Tatarstan Prime Minister Rustam Minnikhanov, Tatarstan Minister of Youth, Sport and Tourism Marat Bariev, Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, CEO of Tatneft company Shafagat Takhautdinov have taken part in the ceremony.

“We are on our way to the Universiade. We are carrying out construction works and are getting ready,” Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev said in a greeting speech. “I wish all of you luck. We are on the way to victories. Keep going, yes, we can!”

Ilsur Metshin named the sport complex “Zilant” opening a grandiose event for Kazan as a part of preparation for the World Student Games-2013. “The first one among the new sites built on the threshold of the Universiade-2013 in Kazan opens today,” the city mayor indicated. “A little more than a year has passed since Kazan won the bid to host the World Student Games-2013, but we see numerous sport objects, which are under construction now.”

The head of Kazan said words of gratitude to Tatarstan President, the federal centre, and Tatarstan oil industry representatives who make huge contribution to construction of the Games-2013 sites.

Alexander Abramov noted that Kazan was becoming one of the most comfortable cities of the country.

Construction of the universal sport complex “Zilant” began only a year ago. The investor of the Universiade-2013 first sport object, where the Games-2013 team competitions in volleyball will be held, is JSC Tatneft. According to words of the city’s sort committee Ilgiz Fakhriev, 360 million roubles have been allocated for construction of “Zilant”. Tatar-inform