Universiade Village opens for athletes in Kazan

(KZN.RU, June 30, by Renat Shirmanov) An opening ceremony of the Universiade Village for athletes participating in the 27th Universiade was held in Kazan. The first guests of the multipurpose Village were welcomed by Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy Vitaly Mutko; President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov; Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin; FISU President Claude-Louis Gallo and others.

The construction of the Universiade Village in the capital of Tatarstan was launched in 2009. The total project cost was 14,384.287 million rubles. The Village area covers more than 53 hectares and includes 28 buildings which can accommodate 14.500 people. The Village has a pharmacy, a health center, a sports equipment rental, a supermarket, restaurants, an International Information Center, a center of religion and more.

Mr. Mutko and Claude-Louis Gallet noted that the Universiade Village in Kazan is undoubtedly the best of its kind in the country and will provide comfortable accommodation for the guests of the Games.

The Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy of the Russian Federation welcomed everyone on behalf of the Government of the Russian Federation. "Today we are launching a large sports festival. I want to thank FISU for their confidence in Russia and Kazan. I am confident that these games will give a big impetus for the development of college sports," said Vitaly Mutko.

Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov reminded how difficult it was to win the right to host such a major international sports forum. "Before, Kazan was a different city; it is changing before our very eyes. We have worked together every day to create all this. Thanks to all agencies and departments that have made every effort to make sure that the Universiade is a success," said Minnikhanov.

Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin echoed those words and added a special thank you to the people of Kazan. "I am honored to welcome our guests on behalf of all the residents of Kazan. We’ve spent over five years of hard work. And I want to say a special word of gratitude to our residents, who have been living on one big construction site. Today Kazan looks prettier and younger. But, most importantly, the people who live here have changed for the better. May the 2013 Universiade Flame remain in the hearts of our guests, and the Games themselves go down in history as the best ever," said Ilsur Metshin.