I. Metshin: “Security is not only the work of all services but also the vigilance of the population”

(KZN.RU, June 2, Zilya Gaifi). Preparing Kazan for the Confederations Cup-2017 reached the final stretch. Work on the arrangement of temporary infrastructure and the adaptation of the building to the requirements of the FIFA is completed at the stadium “Kazan Arena”, the main object of the cup. Sports facilities, transport enterprises, the hotel sector, housing and communal services organizations, life support services, and public order protection have been put on high alert. Kazan's readiness for the big football events was discussed in detail at an expanded meeting of the anti-terrorist commission in the Executive Committee, chaired by Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan.

The meeting was held with the participation of Denis Kalinkin, the head of the Executive Committee, Sergei Shchelokov, the deputy head of the Federal Security Service of the RF for the RT, representatives of the structural units of the Executive Committee and districts’ administrations. About 80 people were invited to discuss preparations for the cup: representatives of the prosecutor's office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation for Kazan, large retail networks, a hotel complex, transport enterprises, management companies, and life support enterprises,

“Security measures stand in the first place in carrying out such major events. There should be no mistakes, miscalculations, and shortcomings. Temporary traffic restrictions will be introduced in Kazan, kilometer pedestrian zones will appear, the so-called “last mile”, and in general other routine events will be held. The requirements of the FIFA oblige us to this. This necessity is caused by the turbulent situation in the world and the activities of various terrorist groups. Preparations for the Confederations Cup and the World Cup are held systematically in accordance with the comprehensive program of security measures, approved by the President of Russia. On the eve of the Cup, the main coordinating role for ensuring security lies with the regional interdepartmental operational headquarters headed by the FSS for the RT”, Ilsur Metshin opened the meeting.

The main object of the Confederations Cup in Kazan will be the stadium “Kazan Arena”, which will host four matches with the winners of the continental leagues: on June 18, 22, 24 and 28 (the beginning of matches at the weekend is at 18.00, on weekdays – at 21.00). Mandatory requirements for attending a match are the availability of a ticket and a fan ID.

According to Azat Kadyrov, the head of the Sports and Social Projects Directorate of the RT and the Tatarstan Organizing Committee of the World Cup-2018, the work of all tenants was completed at the stadium “Kazan Arena” on June 1, and all advertising signs were dismantled. Starting today, the stadium's grounds are transferred to the exclusive use of football associations. “The perimeter and the zone spectators’ inspection increased from the calculation of the pass of 70% of viewers in the last hour. For that reason, five temporary checkpoints and two transport inspection zones have been added to the four permanent ones. From June 1, access to the stadium is carried out exclusively through accreditation”, said Azat Kadyrov.

The territory adjacent to the stadium, the “last mile”, is in the zone of special control. According to Azat Kadyrov, the test match for the cup “Rubin” – CSKA was visited by more than 21 thousand spectators. All services were checked there, including the pass card system according to the results of the match, and all comments were taken into account. Azat Kadyrov said that now the possibility is being considered for installation of temporary road information boards and bicycle parking in the radius of the “last mile”. It is also planned to establish elements of navigation on the territory of the city and to brand public transport. Information points for tourists started to work in Kazan yesterday, where volunteers provide assistance and issue a guide to the city.

“Thanks to the full support of the President of Tatarstan, the Government of the Republic, and the leadership of the city, Kazan is in a high level of readiness for football events. In the remaining days, we need to take all necessary measures so that the population does not feel uncomfortable and at the same time hold the cup at a high level, confirming the status of the sports capital of Russia”, Azat Kadyrov summed up his speech.

At the same time, the preparation of the numbered fund of Kazan for the arrival of client groups and participants of the Confederation Cup continues. In total, 179 hotels operate in the city, including hostels, for 7300 rooms with a total capacity of 16600 persons. According to preliminary data, the average load of hotels for the period of the Confederation Cup will be 70%. Information on the inclusion in the menu of dishes of the Tatar national cuisine and the prolongation of the working hours during the football matches has been brought additionally to the owners of public catering establishments.

“English language training is conducted in order to improve the level of foreign language proficiency among hospitality employees of Kazan by the grant of the Foundation for Innovations of European Language Programs, which we won last year. 50 hospitality employees are trained from February 20 until June 9: headwaiters, waiters, and receptionists. At the end of the course, the phrasebooks in English will be developed, which we will distribute to the hotels and restaurants of the city before the start of the Confederation Cup”, said Daria Sannikova, the director of the Tourism Promotion Committee.

Ilsur Metshin urged to pay special attention to the improvement of the territories adjacent to the hotels. “We have already inspected the territory of hotels, we need to go through it personally and make sure that everything is in order there, including in the territories near “Kazan Arena” and in the yards nearby. In general, a lot of work has been done, our hoteliers have gained experience. However, it is necessary to prepare for such events every time like the first. It's not for nothing Kazan was entrusted to hold Cup matches alongside Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Sochi”, said the Mayor.

Igor Kulyazhev, the deputy head of the Executive Committee and the chairman of the Committee for External Improvement, Ferdinand Timurkhanov, the head of the Civil Protection Directorate, Alexei Sokolov, the head of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs for Kazan, Aidar Abdulkhakov, the chairman of the Transport Committee, and Asfan Galyavov, the general director of the MUE “Metroelectrotrans”, reported I. Metshin about the readiness of transport infrastructure, emergency services, and law enforcement agencies. In general, the speakers noted full readiness in their areas. Ruslan Zaynetdinov, the chairman of the Committee on the Consumer Market, reminded that the ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol will operate in Kazan on the days of the cup matches.

Ilsur Metshin noted that Kazan has a great experience in holding international events. However, security issues are always the most important. “There is a clear gradation: someone is engaged in hospitality, someone with landscaping, someone with accommodation and food, and everything is clear by 99.9%. Security issues include not only the coordinated work of all services but also require the vigilance of the population. The Confederation Cup is the case when we have to do more than we can. It is necessary to think about where else we can strengthen our work”, said the Mayor. The head of the city urged all city services to be fully prepared and give the most serious attention to timely informing the population.