Nazarbayev supported the idea of holding the World Winter Universiade-2017 in Almaty

Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev supported the idea of holding the World Winter Universiade-2017 in Almaty, Tengrinews.kz reports citing Almaty Akim (Mayor) Akhmetzhan Yessimov. According to Yessimov, hosting the games will boost development of the city. “The 7th Winter Asian Games-2011 started a new stage in the big sport in Kazakhstan. And our city now has unique sport facilities of international level, such as Shymbulak ski resort, international ski-jump complex, skiing biathlon stadium and others that received high praise from international experts,” the Akim said. Almaty's application for hosting the Universiade was sent to the International University Sports Federation (FISU) on September 30. A visit of FISU evaluation commission to Kazakhstan is expected shortly. The commission will check the level of the city's preparedness for hosting the tournament. The last selection stage will be held in Brussels in November. Almaty has an experience of hosting the 7th Winter Asian Games, summer stage of the World Ski-Jump Cup and Russian Ski-Jump Championship, a stage of the World Volleyball Cup, pilot International Bandy Tournament. Earlier Tengrinews.kz English reported that Kazakhstan will spend $950 million on the World Winter Universiade-2017, should Almaty be selected over Trentino, Italy. Meanwhile head of Kazakhstan Federation of Student Sport Kairat Zakiryanov said that Kazakhstan might recall its application to host the games.