OREANDA-NEWS. July 29, 2013. PwC Russia made a significant ‘behind-the-scenes’ contribution to the success of the XXVII World Summer Universiade of 2013 in Kazan.

PwC Russia was one of the first partners to start cooperating with the Executive Committee of Universiade 2013 in Kazan.. The firm signed a partnership agreement with the Kazan 2013 Executive Committee in 2010. This commitment to the Universiade 2013 project was a logical extension of PwC Russia’s support of the local administration and business community, as well as the firm’s contribution to the further development of the Republic of Tatarstan. PwC Russia has long invested in Tatarstan. The firm opened an office in Kazan in 2007 and proudly lists among its clients several major companies operating in the region.

PwC has extensive experience in advising the organisers of mega-sporting events at both the global and local levels. We shared our experience with the Kazan 2013 Executive Committee, helping to ensure the effective planning and preparations for the 2013 Universiade. As a Partner and the Official Professional Services Provider for the XXVII World Summer Universiade of 2013in Kazan, we carried out a a series of major consulting projects in the areas of tactical and operational planning, budgeting and financial planning, and taxation and customs consulting. Our professional consultants have devoted over 7,000 working hours to helping make sure that our partners at the Universiade 2013 Executive Committee were even more effective in their planning and preparations for the Games. These engagements all share the common goal of firmly establishing present-day Kazan and the Republic of Tatarstan as successful hosts of major international events in Russia.

David Gray, PwC Russia Managing Partner, shared his impressions about the organisation of the 2013 Universiade:

“The Universiade has been a fantastic platform for Kazan and for the country to show what modern Russia is capable of in terms of facilities and organisation. PwC has invested in Kazan for the last six years. Universiade 2013 represents a real step forward and the result is that Kazan becomes even more attractive for investment.”

Robert Gruman, PwC Russia Advisory Leader and Global Relationship Partner for the Olympic Movement, commented:

“From an organisational standpoint I think the Kazan 2013 Executive Committee have done an excellent job. They have been smart about leveraging international and local expertise. We congratulate the team on an outstanding event and a great beginning to the sports mega-events era in Russia.”

In addition to the advisory services outlined above, PwC Russia played an active role in promoting its partnership with Kazan 2013.

PwC Russia assisted in presenting Universiade 2013 in Kazan at several high-profile business events. For instance, during the 2012 Olympic Games in London, PwC sponsored and co-organised the international Global Sports Industry Congress, which took place at Russia Park in Kensington Gardens. Here, Kazan 2013 General Director Vladimir Leonov spoke about the 2013 Universiade before the international sports community as a member of the event's keynote panel discussions and during a further  session organised by PwC titled the “Intellectual Legacy of Mega Events”.

The Universiade 2013 Partners League was founded at the PwC office in Kazan as a platform for Kazan 2013 partner companies to share innovative ideas and expertise, as well as integrate their work in support of Universiade 2013. Together with the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate, the Games' corporate partners have carried out a number of joint projects geared toward the long-term development of their respective industries, which will also be part of the 2013 Universiade's long-term legacy. Moreover, all corporate members of the League of Universiade 2013 Partners, including PwC, are integrating the ideals of the World University Games into their own corporate cultures.

PwC has also played an active role in promoting the Games' legacy in Kazan. In conjunction with the Universiade Executive Committee, we have held numerous "open house days" for local students at the PwC office in Kazan as well as several “Universiade Lessons” sessions for our employees, which have helped to spread the word about the unique legacy that the Games will leave behind both for the Republic of Tatarstan and Russia as a whole. Furthermore, 15 employees from the firm's Kazan and Moscow offices contributed to the success of the Games as Universiade 2013 volunteers.

Several PwC consultants from the sports mega-events team visited the Universiade on an observer programme.  In addition, representatives of PwC top management attended multiple formal events held as part of Universiade 2013.

Finally, PwC Russia made contribution to the stars of Universiade 2013, the athletes, by setting up a comfortable PwC ‘Fan Zone Lounge’ in the Universiade Village. Here athletes could rest and relax after training and competitions, follow the events on a big screen, spend time together playing table tennis and other games, and even send PwC souvenir postcards from Kazan 2013 with pictures of the Universiade venues to their relatives and friends around the world.