The main objects of the Universiade-2017 in Almaty received their official names

Today in Almaty at a meeting of the Organizing Committee on preparation and conduct of the 28th World Universiade - 2017 under the chairmanship of the Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Dariga Nazarbayeva, the names of the main objects of the Winter Games, as well as the design of the medals and the talisman of the Universiade have been approved.

During the meeting, D. Nazarbayeva noted the high achievements of Kazakh athletes at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, and stressed the importance of the construction of sports infrastructure and development of youth sports in the state.

"Thanks to the project of the Universiade, there are three new very beautiful modern sporting facilities in Almaty. A new infrastructure, new residential complexes, theaters, exhibition halls, cinemas, the entire social infrastructure have appeared there as well. These areas will increasingly become comfortable for people's lives," the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan said.

In his turn, Mayor of Almaty Bauyrzhan Baybek said that taking into account the requirements of FISU for assigning names to new objects of the Universiade, as well as in consultation with the Head of state, the Ice Palace for 12 thousand seats is given the name of "Almaty Arena", and the Ice Arena for 3 thousand seats is given the name of "Khalyk Arena".

"On the instructions of the President, after the Universiade is finished, 1,748 people in the waiting list will receive their new apartments in the Athletic Village. Furniture and home appliances (3,700 television sets and fridges and 1,750 washing machines) purchased for the athletes’ rooms will be distributed among hospitals, clinics and kindergartens in the city. After completion of the Games, the Athletic Village will host the Almaty Olympic Training Center, a CHS of the Alatau district for 1,200 people, a clinic for 700 visitors, Kazpost Office, a supermarket, a Household Services Center with an atelier and shoe repair point, and a fully equipped police stronghold," B. Baybek said.

The City Mayor noted that local authorities together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and National Security Committee, the General Prosecutor's Office are taking the necessary measures to prevent threats to public safety during the Universiade.

"According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the security of the Universiade will be provided by over 6.5 thousand law enforcement officers. Also, 222 million KZT from the local budget were allocated for the Department of Internal Affairs to purchase 15 hand-held detectors of explosives," B. Baybek said.

In addition, one of the issues in the meeting was the presentation of attributes of the Universiade. The people in the meeting were showed equipment for the relay-race participants, a fire torch of the Universiade, as well as the talisman of the Games – a "Sunkar" bird. This is a falcon chick, which symbolizes the pursuit of victory and purposefulness of young athletes. The main attributes of sports contests – the medals – were presented, too.

Information:

The 28-th World Winter Universiade will be held in Almaty from January 29 to February 8, 2017. The program of student games includes 12 kinds of sports. 86 sets of medals will be awarded in 12 kinds of sports; 58 countries have officially confirmed their participation; 3,393 participants (including 2,263 athletes) have been accredited. Availability of new objects to date is over 90%. The percentage of Kazakh content for new objects of the Universiade is 60%, with the creation of more than 4,200 jobs.