27th Summer Universiade in Kazan

Helen Searle, IKF’s Special Delegate for Equal Opportunity is currently in Kazan, Russia representing IKF at the 27th Summer Universiade which runs from July 6 to July 17.

These Games are held every two years and showcase the finest athletes in the world that are studying in Universities. The athletes will compete in 27 individual and team sports spread over many amazing new sports facilities in the city of Kazan where 20,000 volunteers are working daily to help the games be a big success.

The opening ceremony held in the new Kazan Arena Stadium was filled to capacity with 45,000 people and a spectacular show was displayed by the Russian organising committee for all the athletes and the public together for in amazing ceremony featuring modern technology combined with Russian traditional culture.

In conjunction with the games Helen’s main focus will be to participate in a conference organised by FISU (International University Sports Federation) and speak about korfball and how its fundamental principles promote equality in sport. Ideas and programs will be shared between conference delegates with the focus on gender equality in our global sporting community.

Helen is pictured here with Uni, the kitten of the winged snow leopard. Uni has been chosen as the mascot for the Kazan 2013 Summer Universiade. The winged snow leopard is the national symbol of the Republic of Tatarstan.