KAZAN – Wilfried Lemke, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace, met with Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov.
The meeting took place at the Tatarstan President’s residency at the Kazan Kremlin. Rustam Minnikhanov thanked Mr Lemke for his visit to the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan. Among the topics on the agenda were preparations of Tatarstan for the 2013 Summer Universiade and other sporting events of international scale.
«At present Tatarstan represents a region where special priority is given to sports development», Rustam Minnikhanov said. He also stated that apart from the 2013 Summer Universiade, Kazan is getting ready to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Moreover, as part of the Russian Federation, Tatarstan submitted the 2015/2017 World Aquatics Championships bid. «We must step up the work in this field, as I believe we stand a good chance to win the right to host these competitions», the Tatarstan President added.
The event also saw attendance of Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin, Minister of Youth, Sports and Tourism of Tatarstan Rafis Burganov and Iskander Muflikhanov, Director of the Department for Foreign Affairs and Presidential Aide on International Issues.
Before the meeting with the Tatarstan President, Mr Lemke took a tour around the Kazan 2013 venues, including the Universiade Village, Burevestnik Swimming Pool and Tennis Academy, and the Kazan Kremlin.
In his interview Wilfried Lemke stated that he gave a high appraisal to what he had seen in Kazan. «All the sports facilities are created professionally and at high level. Kazan is special for the atmosphere that reigns over the city in anticipation of such a grand event as the Universiade. I haven’t seen anything like this in any other host city. Together with the President we discussed the possibility of implementing joint Tatarstan-UN projects in the framework of the preparations and delivery of the University Games. For instance, we could initiate art and writing contests. I’m sure that I’ll come to Kazan to see the Universiade in 2013. And if we agree on implementing joint projects, maybe, I’ll come here earlier», Mr Lemke summed up.
Later on, accompanied by Minister of Youth, Sports and Tourism Rafis Burganov and Farid Abdulganiev, Deputy Director General of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate, set off to the Ak Bars Wrestling Palace, current host venue of the European U23 Fencing Championship. The agenda of the visit of the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General ended with an excursion to the Raifa Monastery.
(Source: Media Department of Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate & tatar.ru)
Wilfried Lemke, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace, met with Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov
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