The president of the Republic of Tatarstan met the FIFA inspection commission

Today the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov met the members of the FIFA inspection commission for the World Football Championship 2018. Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan Asgat Safarov, Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, Minister of Youth Affairs, Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Tatarstan Rafis Burganov, Minister of Construction, Architecture and Housing of the Republic of Tatarstan Irek Faizullin, Minister of Transport and Road Facilities of the Republic of Tatarstan Lenar Safin and Director General of the Executive Committee of the Universiade 2013 Vladimir Leonov participated in the meeting. 

The inspection commission visiting the cities which are to hold World Football Championships 2018 include Director of the Department of organization of World Championships 2014, 2018 and 2022 Jurgen Muller, Manager of Project Administration of the Department of organization of World Championships 2014, 2018 and 2022 Nick Lau as well as Director General of the Organizing Committee “Russia-2018” Aleksei Sorokin. 

The President of the Republic of Tatarstan greeted the members of the delegation and mentioned that Kazan is diligently preparing for the Universiade 2013 that is why the most of the sports and transport infrastructure will be ready long before the World Football Championships. According to Rustam Minnikhanov the Republic is carrying out a great work to attract tourists. “I believe that Kazan will be interesting for our guests”, - said the President of the Republic of Tatarstan. 

The President assured the members of the inspection commission that all remarks made during the inspection visit will be taken into consideration by the authorities of the Republic. 

In his turn Director General of the Organizing Committee “Russia-2018” Aleksei Sorokin emphasized that Kazan is one of the cities most prepared to hold major sports events. “Kazan is one of our reliable cities and we do not have any problems with you”, said A.Sorokin. 

As reported Director General of the Executive Committee of the Universiade 2013 Vladimir Leonov, in the course of this brief visit to Kazan the members of the delegation will see a live site and the constructed stadium, and then the presentation of the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan as a participant city of the World Football Championship 2018 will take place in Kazan Town Hall. In the evening the inspection commission will go to Nizhny Novgorod. 

Rustam Minnikhanov underlined the importance of the study of experience of different countries in preparation for major football competitions. The President of the Republic of Tatarstan addressed the representatives of FIFA with a request to include the representatives of the Republic of Tatarstan into the entry list of working trips. “We are ready to work together with you”, assured Rustam Minnikhanov and wished to the members of the delegation a successful stay in Kazan.