FISU SG/CEO meets New Almaty Mayor

 FISU SG/CEO with the Mayor & NUSF President

ALMATY – This weekend the FISU Secretary-General/CEO Eric Saintrond traveled to Almaty to meet the new Mayor, Baurzhan Baibek, who took office in August. The former mayor, Akhtemzhan Yessimov, having been appointed to lead the organization of EXPO 2017 in Astana.

It was important to meet with the newly appointed Mayor in order to convey him our satisfactions but also our concerns as within two weeks’ time the FISU Technical Delegates will travel to Almaty from 12 to 15 October for a working visit. Although the construction of the new ice stadiums and the Athletes’ Village is on track, the facilities for snowboarding and freestyle skiing are currently on hold, awaiting a decision on which site these disciplines will be hosted.
As for the Village, the first apartments will soon be equipped and there is no doubt the work will be completed on schedule, in July 2016. The great news is that the Athletes’ Village will not be sold to private individuals after the Universiade, but will be bequeathed to the universities of Almaty for student housing. An exceptional legacy!

FISU SG/CEO with the Ministers and the NUSF President

During the day, the FISU SG/CEO also met with the Minister of Sports, Mr. Arystanbek Mukhamediuly and the Minister of Education and Science, Mr. Aslan Sarinzhipov. Both have confirmed the willingness of the central government and its Prime Minister Karim Massimov to organize a great Winter Universiade in Almaty. During these interviews, Mr. Saintrond was accompanied by the President of the NUSF of Kazakhstan, Kairat Zakiryanov and Secretary-General Raushan Kulakhmetova.

Athletes’ Village under construction

At the FISU Gala in Gwangju, Prof Zakiryanov received the award for the best university participation at the 2013 Universiades (Winter and Summer).

Media Dept.