‘The Times’ applies first for Kazan Universiade Media Accreditation

KAZAN – The Executive Directorate of the 27th Summer Universiade Kazan 2013 announced the official opening of media accreditation for the Games. Journalists of The Times, who are currently on a reconnaissance visit in Kazan, were among the first media representatives who went through the mandatory pre-registration process.

The opening of media accreditation was declared at a press conference on Friday, 18 January, by Azat Kadyrov, First Deputy Director General of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate. According to Azat Kadyrov, accreditation of journalists for the Games will last until 18 April 2013, and applications will not be accepted after that period. Accreditation for the 27th Summer Universiade will be granted both to official media and bloggers. The organisers of the upcoming World University Games expect that about 1,500 journalists will provide the media coverage of the Games. A full range of services is being currently prepared for them in Kazan in order to make their Games-time working environment as comfortable and efficient as possible. Accreditation for the Games gives journalists an opportunity to inform the global audience about all the events taking place during the 2013 Summer Universiade, which is the first high-profile international multi-sport event in the history of modern Russia, and to see with their own eyes the Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies, as well as provides direct access to student athletes competing in 351 medal events at Games time.

Azat Kadyrov informed that the Main Press Centre (MPC) will be located at the Rubin Arena stadium. The International Broadcasting Centre (IBC) will be there as well. “We expect that, on the whole, the Games will be covered by approximately 1,500 journalists including 200-300 representatives of international media,” said Azat Kadyrov and added that working conditions for the media will be provided at all competition venues.

The federal and international media as well as bloggers first apply for accreditation as part of the pre-registration process in the ‘Media’ section of the ‘Join In’ menu tab at the official Kаzаn 2013 website. In case of approval, a username and a password will be sent to the accredited media to allow them access the online accreditation system where they will be asked to complete a more detailed application form. 21. The Tatmedia Republican Agency of Press and Mass Communications was appointed as the body authorised for media accreditation in the Republic of Tatarstan.

The meeting with the media was also attended by Rafis Burganov, Minister of Youth Affairs, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Tatarstan; Oleg Matytsin,1st Vice-President of FISU, President of the Russian Student Sports Union; Eric Saintrond, FISU Secretary General/CEO; as well as Shamil Tarpishchev, member of the IOC Executive Board.

(Source: Kazan 2013 Media Dept.)