2019 WU to Provide an Opportunity for Krasnoyarsk to Become as Recognizable as the Popular European Resorts

KRASNOYARSK – The FISU educational seminar mastered by Lilia Barieva, Knowledge Management Manager of FISU, came to an end in Krasnoyarsk. For four days FISU colleagues shared their experience in staging of the Universiades with the organisers of the 2019 Winter Universiade, whilst Krasnoyarsk citizens, in their turn, surprised the guests with their current results with regard to preparation of the venues.

Among the participants of the seminar were 12 FISU delegates headed by Milan Augustin, FISU WU Director, and the representatives of the Executive Directorate of the 29th WU Krasnoyarsk 2019, municipal government, specialized ministries and authorities, as well as marketing partners on the side of Krasnoyarsk.

The work was arranged within workshops. Each workshop discussed in detail the set of issues within a certain functional area of the Master Plan. Let us recall that the document includes 49 functional areas. The colleagues shared their experience, best practices, successful solutions, as well as mistakes, so that Krasnoyarsk would be able to adjust their plans and avoid making such mistakes. For instance, within the presentation of the Universiade Village, a schedule of operation of various services (medical facilities, laundry services, beauty salons, etc.) was announced, the speaker told about equipping of residential buildings, organisation of catering services, cultural events, operation of the Religious centre. In Kazan 2013, which experience is being actively employed by Krasnoyarsk WU organisers, there were eight prayer rooms for the leading world confessions. But even Kazan organisers were surprised by the standard of the Universiade Village in Krasnoyarsk.

“Each region has its own problems and peculiarities”, said Ilnur Rakhimov, Kazan UV Mayor whilst sharing his own experience. “We can only give our perspective of what we succeeded in and what we failed to implement. When it comes to your Universiade Village, in my opinion, when the buildings will be branded and the territory will be landscaped and secured, this will be an awesome venue. We can see that what is planned is not just to build conventional student residence rooms, but proper flats. This is even more than what the Universiade level requires.”

The presentation on the school WU2019 lessons within the discussion of the Education functional area aroused keen interest among the participants. Kolë Gjeloshaj, FISU Director of Educational Services and Head of Protocol, made a note of this experience and asked for a case study. On his part, Mr. Gjeloshaj pointed out that a lot more work should be done so that by the time of the Games the citizens will be sure to know the mascots, the WU2019 symbols, the Universiade history and principles.

The set of issues within the area of Marketing and Licensing was supervised by Filippo Bazzanella, Secretary General of the Winter Universiade Trentino (Italy) 2013. He shared first-hand experience in attracting the tourists to the city through the staging of the Universiade. According to Mr. Bazzanella, he managed to increase the inflow of tourists to the city and its recognition in the world.

“The Universiade is a large multi-sport event. For sure, we wanted to host the Games, as it meant another chance to draw the attention to our region, to demonstrate our region to two client groups who are important for us and come together during the Universiade—professional athletes and students. It is necessary to talk about the international recognition that the Universiade gave us. We were known throughout Europe as a ski resort. But the wider circle—Russia, China, Japan—found out about us only after the Universiade. And I can see that this is where our city and Krasnoyarsk are very much alike. Go for it!”, commented Filippo Bazzanella.

As for the outcomes of the one-week long FISU visit in general, it is sure to say that huge joint work has been done. All the venues were inspected, meetings with venue managers and competition managers were organised, the strategic plan was verified and recommendations were given as to the further actions. Milan Augustin, FISU WU Director, came to Krasnoyarsk for the first time. In his opinion, the city has a great potential. He also noted that the clusters Sopka and Raduga as part of the Winter Sports Academy have a big potential of being used to host international events, provided that the projects are fully realized. But he was most impressed by the All-Season Sports and Entertainment Park Fun Bobrovy Log, which Norilsk Nickel, the General Partner to the Winter Universiade Krasnoyarsk 2019, took upon itself to prepare for the Games.

“Bobrovy Log is a very decent and, I would say, already finished venue. It is licensed by the International Ski Federation. The trails, the equipment, the infrastructure are ideally suited to host international sports competitions. I was pleasantly surprised by this venue: close proximity to the city, excellent trails. The citizens have a great opportunity to go alpine skiing in the conditions, which are at the level of international resorts. I believe this is a very good legacy for your young people,” noted Milan Augustin.

(Source: Krasnoyarsk OC)