Sergei Stepashin: The quality of the Universiade 2013 Venues in Kazan corresponds to the investments made

Chairman of the Russian Audit Chamber Sergei Stepashin suggested using the project of the new football stadium for 45 000 spectators in Kazan as a base one when constructing similar sports facilities in other cities of Russia, especially during the preparation for the World Cup 2018. According to Sergei Stepashin the football stadium being constructed in Kazan meets all the FIFA requirements and its project could be taken as a basis. This was announced at the joint meeting of the Russian Audit Chamber and the Board of the Audit Chamber of the Republic of Tatarstan on the audit of the expenditure of budget funds allocated for the organization, preparation and hosting of the 27th World Summer Universiade 2013 in Kazan. The meeting was held in the Government House of the Republic of Tatarstan and attended by President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, Minister of Construction, Architecture and Housing of the Republic of Tatarstan I.E. Faizullin.

Opening the meeting Sergei Stepashin noted that the concept of the legacy of the Summer Universiade 2013 in Kazan for long-term and effective use of the Universiade Venues had been approved in February 2012. According to him, the same document is being prepared for the facilities being built in Sochi for the Olympic Winter Games in 2014. “As for Kazan, it is already clear how to use the Venues and the facilities of the Athletes’ Village after the Games”, he said.

Sergei Stepashin said that he had visited the construction site of the stadium and seen the progress but noted that the construction costs were increasing at the moment.  He also paid attention to the fact that the stadium should be completed in March 2013.

The Chairman of the Russian Audit Chamber noted that generally Kazan could justly be called a sports capital, especially with some sports facilities being unique in Russia and would be used to train teams of sports reserve for summer sports (Rowing Centre, Gymnastics Center etc.).

Sergei Stepashin took part in the installation of a memorial stone in the foundation of another sports facility in Kazan i.e. Russia's first Badminton Center.

The Chairman said that they saw the work done in Tatarstan. According to him all comments are responded and closed in a short time, and it indicates the effectiveness of the control measures; the preparation for the Summer Universiade 2013 demonstrate the effective communication among experts of the Russian Audit Chamber, that of the Republic of Tatarstan and the government authorities in general.

According to Sergei Stepashin, the quality of the Universiade 2013 Venues in Kazan corresponds to the investments.

Then Sergei Stepashin was reported on the construction of the Media Centre as well as a modern food production facility being constructed in Kazan to serve the Universiade 2013.

Director General of ANO “Executive Committee of the 27th World Summer Universiade 2013 in Kazan” Vladimir Leonov briefly reported on the work carried out in the framework of the preparation for the Summer Universiade 2013.  In particular, he said that 41 thousand applications from volunteers wishing to work during the Games had been accepted, and agreements for volunteer services had been signed with 50 higher education institutions; and that 97 countries of the world had already submitted applications for the participation in the Summer Universiade 2013.

Speaking at the joint meeting, President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov thanked the leadership of the Russian Audit Chamber for their excellent work. Among the main tasks during the preparation for the Summer Universiade 2013 the President of Tatarstan mentioned the security at the Universiade Venues and the security of the Games, transport logistics for athletes and guests of the Universiade as well as catering.

Rustam Minnikhanov also thanked the leadership of the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation for the quick resolution of the issues related to the preparation for the Summer Universiade in Kazan.

After the meeting President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and Chairman of the Russian Audit Chamber Sergei Stepashin answered the questions asked by the media.