On January 28 Presidential Envoy in Volga Federal District Mikhail Babich presented state awards of the Russian Federation to specialists of ministries, departments and enterprises of the Republic of Tatarstan.

The awarding ceremony took place in Kazan City Hall with participation of Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation Maksim Sokolov, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin, and FISU representatives.

To the point, state awards have been awarded in accordance with the Decree of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin by results of 27th World Summer Universiade 2013.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mikhail Babich stated that Summer Universiade 2013 has become the largest international event in Russia. All Kazan citizens, Tatarstan leadership, representatives of ministries and departments made a considerable contribution to holding the Universiade, he noted.

Presidential Envoy in Volga Federal District also reminded that many facilities built for the Universiade are unique design solutions and the gained experience will be used in future and is used in Sochi during preparation for the Winter Olympic Games 2014. Many builders, road workers and specialists from Tatarstan are working at facilities in Sochi, Mikhail Babich reminded.

Mikhail Babich conveyed words of special gratitude to staff of companies and enterprises engaged in preparation and holding of the Universiade 2013 in Kazan as well as to families of those people who “spent days and nights working at the Universiade facilities to make the holiday of peace and sports”.

The awarding ceremony started later on. In particular, Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin was awarded the "Order for Services to the Fatherland”, IV degree. Tatarstan Prime-Minister Ildar Khalikov, Minister of Youth Affairs, Sports and Tourism Rafis Burganov were presented the Order of Honour. Deputy Prime Minister – Head of Staff of the Office of the Cabinet of Ministers Shamil Gafarov, Minister of Construction, Architecture, Housing and Municipal Economy Irek Faizullin was given the Order of Friendship. The Medal of the Order For Services to the Fatherland, II degree was presented to First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Pesoshin, Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Informatization and Communications Roman Shaikhutdinov, Director General of Municipal autonomous organization “Football club “Rubin” Vladimir Leonov (former Director General of ANO “Executive Directorate of 27th World Summer Universiade 2013 in Kazan”), Minister of Transport and Roads Lenar Safin, Director General of OAO “Grid Company” Ilshat Fadiev and others.

Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, in his turn, thanked Vladimir Putin for appreciation of the work during preparation and holding of the Universiade in Kazan.

Mikhail Babich said that Vladimir Putin would personally award Tatarstan State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev ("Order for Services to the Fatherland”, IV degree) and Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov (Order of Honour).