INNSBRUCK (AA) - The International University Sports Federation (FISU) will choose later today (Monday) the city to host the 2009 Winter Universiade. The eastern Turkish city of Erzurum is one of the candidates wishing to host the winter games of universities. The other candidate is China's city of Harbin.
According to experts, Harbin does not have adequate facilities to organize the winter games. ''Harbin does not have much chance of hosting the 2009 Winter Universiade,'' said a source.
Turkish authorities spent yesterday evening preparing their presentation on Erzurum, to take place in a few hours today. ''Erzurum is an ideal spot for winter games. It is both historically and culturally rich,'' said a Turkish representative.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a call to the members of the executive board of the FISU to award hosting of the 2009 University winter games to Erzurum. Aside from Erdogan, the Turkish representatives trying to convince the FISU members to grant the 2009 Winter Universiade to Erzurum included Deputy Prime Minister & State Minister in charge of sports Mehmet Ali Sahin, Turkish National Olympic Committee Chairman Togay Bayatli, Erzurum Governor Celalettin Guvenc, Erzurum Mayor Ahmet Kucukler, Ataturk University Rector Yasar Sutbeyaz and many other university professors.
(ES-ULG)
2005-01-10