Message - Minister 

While the country of Turkey is experiencing the pride of embracing participants from the five continents, the city of Erzurum is feeling the enthusiasm and carrying the responsibility of hosting the 25th Winter Universiade.

First, we would like to express our gratitude to FISU (International University Sports Federation) for their vast efforts in gathering youth who will be shape the future of our world under the umbrella of university sports that aims to promote both physical and spiritual well being. We would also like to thank the national federations and our distinguished team partners, Head of Delegations, for their invaluable contribution throughout the process for make this organization is a deep-rooted tradition.

Sports, one of the most important corner stones of life ever since the evolution of mankind is continuously sharing the success and progress achieved in the course of history. Most importantly, this mutual task allows us to unite the World Youth under the roof of such major events. In this respect, the Winter Universiade organization has undertaken a universal mission to bring together university students from throughout the world with the synergy generated by this sports festival. While underlining the quality of elite sportsmanship in competitive events, the Winter Universiade leads the way to spiritual maturity. Thus, organized every two years under the auspices of FISU, Universaide, enables us to share the common values of humanity through sports and has grown into a unique event that enhances expectations of young people for a peaceful world.

In Turkey, it is our utmost happiness to be able to contribute to world peace with our hospitality and to lead for building a better world for future generations.
We all agree that the youth dream of a taintless world and long for friendship, brotherhood, solidarity and tolerance. Most important of all; they all have the desire for the same thing that the entire world has sought for such a long time: THE WORLD PEACE...
Having followed the path of Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK, founder of the Turkish Republic; who conveyed to the world the universal concept of Anatolia by his message “Peace at Home, Peace in the World”, Turkey is extremely happy and proud to share this universal aspiration via Erzurum 2011 Winter Universaide.

Through the ubiquity of sports and the power of friendship for a better future and with arms wide open, Turkey welcomes guests who meet in Erzurum. Turkey wishes to sing songs of peace hand in hand with you at Erzurum in this unique atmosphere created through the vigor of sports and desire for friendship.

With our deep gratitude to all of our team partners who have contributed their efforts for the creation of hopeful tomorrows...
Yours Sincerely,

Faruk Nafız ÖZAK
Minister of State