At the the official opening ceremony of the HoD, with the participation of the FISU Family and organisers of the 2013 Summer Universiade the delegates were welcomed by the of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov; FISU President Claude-Louis Gallien; FISU First Vice-President and Russian Students Sport Union (RSSU) President Oleg Matytsin; Rafis Burganov, Tatarstan's Minister of Youth Affairs, Sports and Tourism; Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin; and Director General of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate Vladimir Leonov.

 

Addressing sports managers from all over the world, the President of FISU highly praised Kazan’s preparations for the Summer Universiade and thanked the host and high officials for their hospitality. Several important issues were discussed during the meetings, including accreditation, transportation and catering of delegations, the progress of the work of the Universiade venues as well as issues concerning the sports.

 

Heads of Delegation of more than 120 nations participating in the 2013 Summer Universiade have gathered in Kazan for the Games presentation, inspecting the accommodation facilities, sports venues and overall logistics for the Universiade. They visited Basket Hall, the Central Stadium, the Track and Field Hall, the Rowing Centre, the Gymnastics Centre and the Tennis Academy. The guests also visited the Kazan Kremlin and looked around the student campus – the Universiade Village. 

 

A special focus was also made on the visa-free entry to Russia for athletes participating in the Summer Universiade, a special Presidential Decree introduced for the Universiade. The Heads of Delegation were introduced the activity report delivered by the Organising Committee of the 28th Summer Universiade Gwangju 2015.

 

One of the most anticipated events of the HoD Meeting programme was the team draw, deciding what national teams will compete against each other in Basketball, Football, Volleyball, Waterpolo, Field Hockey and Rugby 7s. The draw, conducted by FISU Secretary General Mr Eric Saintrond,  was held for the men's and women’s teams from 55 different countries (6 in Africa, 7 of the American continent, 2 from Oceania, 14 from Asia and 26 from Europe).

 

During the HoD Meeting, Mr Irek Fayzullin, Minister of Construction, Housing and Architecture also handed out the key to the Universiade Village to Mr Farid Abdulganiev, Mayor of the Village.

 

The 27th Summer Universiade will be held in Kazan, Russia between July 6 and 17, 2013. For more information, please see www.kazan2013.ru or www.fisu.net.