Participants at the inaugural FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy in Kazan marked the second day of the forum by celebrating the Tatarstan region’s national summer festival ©FISU

Participants at the inaugural International University Sports Federation (FISU) Volunteer Leaders Academy in Kazan marked the second day of the forum by celebrating the Tatarstan region’s national summer festival.

The 110 attendees from 91 countries partook in the holiday of Sabantuy, marking the end of the spring crop planting.

Celebrations were held in the main square of the 2013 Summer Universiade Village, where participants sang Tatar national songs, danced to folk music and tried out traditional Sabantuy contests.

Attendees also undertook an early morning sports course and classroom instruction, taking a close look at Kazan's culture. 

With education the core component of the FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy, expert instructors led courses on adding value and benchmarking best practice when networking and when preparing to make effective presentations.

Courses also considered ways for young professionals launching their careers to further develop the skills that will make them employable.

These courses delved into the key themes unearthed during an opening day panel discussion with FISU President Oleg Matytsin, FISU secretary general Eric Saintrond and Olympic figure skating champion Alexei Yagudin of Russia.

"Oleg, Eric, and I, we want to work together with you to change what is happening around us" Yagudin, winner of the Olympic gold medal in the men's singles gold at Salt Lake City 2002, said. 

"Thank you so much for choosing this life and making this movement a part of your life."

Volunteers attended lectures on a range of subjects ©FISU
Volunteers attended lectures on a range of subjects ©FISU

The FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy is described as a platform where sport, education and culture all come together to build the leaders of tomorrow.

It is claimed the second day  lived up to this and the FISU motto of pursuing "Excellence in Mind and Body".

"Celebrating Sabantuy was a great idea," Vampa Augustin, a participant from Argentina, said. 

"We were able to get to know the Tatar culture and learn its conventions and customs.

"This will help us to better understand Kazan and Tatarstan.

"In fact, before the forum I had a very vague idea about where Kazan was situated, who the Tatars are, and about Russia in general.

"I'm lucky to be here now.

"We need to network more - this is the only way to break down stereotypes and put an end to confrontations.

"The events such as the FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy, and sports volunteering in general, are a great help in doing it."

The FISU Volunteer Leaders Academy is due to take place until Saturday (July 8).

It is being hosted by the Volga Region State Academy of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism.