Mintimer Shaimiev, ‘Universiade-2013 in Kazan – wish of all Tatarstan students’

Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev held a meeting with the heads of International University Sports Federation in Kazan Kremlin on April 21.

President of FISU George Killian, Secretary General Roch Campana, and President of European University Sports Federation Alberto Gualtieri took part in the meeting. Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin, RT Minister on Youth Affairs, Sport and Tourism Marat Bariev, and rector of the Kazan State University represented Tatarstan on the meeting.

Mintimer Shaimiev thanked FISU members at the beginning of the meeting. “Thanks to your organization Kazan became well-known in the world not only as a 1000-years old city, but also as a city with sport ambitions – a candidate to host Universiade-2011, - Tatarstan President stated. – The fact that you made the decision to hold the international seminar in Kazan shows that your interest to the city doesn’t decrease”. George Killian and other members of FISU delegation were awarded medals in memory of Kazan Millennium.

The heads of Tatarstan and International University Sports Federation talked behind the close doors; afterwards Mintimer Shaimiev and George Killian summed up the results of the meeting.

“We exchanged opinions on development of the world university sports, discussed the place of Kazan in this movement, - Mintimer Shaimiev declared. – Approximately 300 thousand students study in our republic; we want to make our contribution to development of university sports”.

Mintimer Shaimiev pointed out absolute readiness of the republic to host World Summer Universiade. “And it is the wish not only of Tatarstan President and the republican authorities, - M. Shaimiev emphasized. – But of our students too”.

George Killian explained that decision about the place of holding World Summer Universiade -2013 will be made in January 2009; the application campaign starts in 2008. “But the date can be changed as a new executive committee has a right to change it,” – he noted. The head of FISU expressed confidence about opportunities of Kazan to construct necessary sport sites.

George Killian pointed out support of Tatarstan authorities in holding the international seminar. “This seminar allows the world to show your enthusiasm to host Universiade-2013,” - President of FISU stated.

FISU President thanked Tatarstan authorities for shown hospitability; Mintimer Shaimiev invited George Killian to visit Kazan again. The head of International University Sports Federation accepted the invitation.