FISU approves Phl stint in Kazan 2013 Universiade

MANILA, Philippines - Federacion Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU), known as the International University Sports Federation, has approved the Philippines’ participation in the 27th Summer Universiade scheduled July 6-17, 2013 in Kazan, Russia.

In an official communications sent to the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP), the Lausanne, Switzerland-based FISU formally accepted the Philippines as one of the official participating countries in the prestigious, 12-day sports and cultural event in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan in Russia.

FESSAP, headed by David Ong, is the country’s  sole governing sports body duly recognized by FISU.

“It’s a big honor for our country to participate again in the Universiade,” said Ong, noting the country was one of the few Asian nations to win a medal – a silver – during the 26th Summer Universiade in Shenzhen, China 2011, courtesy of taekwondo champion Samuel Thomas Morrison of Far Eastern University.

Although taekwondo is not included in the calendar of events in Kazan next year, Ong expressed confidence that the Filipinos will make the country proud in 11 other disciplines – athletics, archery, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, chess, fencing, swimming, table tennis, tennis and weightlifting.

Delegation head Antonio Tiu, with Ong, has also appointed Philippine Federation of Body Builders (PFBB) vice-president Col. Ariel Querubin as the official flag-bearer of the Philippine delegation to be supported by San Miguel Corporation, Healthy Options, AgriNurture Inc (ANI), H2O Technologies Philippines Inc., Bestank and Cobra Energy.

Kazan, which is widely considered as the “Sports Capital” of Russia, was chosen over Vigo, Spain as host of the biennial event which is expected to attract more than 13,500 athletes and officials from a record of 170 countries as well as more than 1,500 media representatives.

About 100,000 tourists and fans from Russia and abroad will visit Kazan both to support their countries and discover the millennial historical heritage of the city, its rich culture and modern infrastructure, according to the official FISU website.

Out of the 50 sports venues that will be used during the Universiade, 30 will be newly built.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kazan will also host the 2015 World Aquatics Championship and the 2017 FIFA World Cup.