The first centre was opened in the Youth Commonwealth Institution of the Moscow Department for Families and Youth Policy this week, with a further three volunteer centres now open across different parts of the Russian capital.

The launch of the facility was attended by seven-time Summer Universiade artistic gymnastics champion Alexander Kondratichev, who is a Kazan 2013 ambassador.

Kondratichev became the first candidate to be interviewed at Moscow's Kazan 2013 volunteer recruitment centre ahead of the biggest competition in the world for university athletes.

Young athletes and volunteer candidates were also present at the event.

Kazan 2013 ambassador Alexander Kondratichev (L) became the first candidate to be interviewed at the Moscow volunteer recruitment centre

"The recruitment centre will carry out a wide range of activities," said a Kazan 2013 statement.

"It will select the best volunteers among candidates from Moscow, schedule interviews, deliver presentations, hold Skype and phone interviews with volunteers.

"The candidates will be assessed by recruiters who are specialist volunteers trained at the Mosvolunteer Youth Education Camp.

"A team of 440 volunteers will represent the Moscow Region at next summer's World University Games.

"They will be assigned to the Tennis Academy, Olymp Sports Complex and an info desk at the Main International Centre.

"Just as all non-local volunteers, they will be provided with transportation to Kazan and accommodation and be supplied with cooked meals, mobile phones, uniforms and merchandise."

Kazan 2013 has already signed agreements with 49 higher education institutions in 30 regions of Russia, while around 5,000 non-local and international volunteers in total are expected to come to the Tatarstan city for the Games.

The general demand for volunteers is around 20,000.

Kazan 2013 volunteer recruitment centres have now opened in Moscow ahead of the Summer Universiade in Russia next July

Over 32,000 candidates have already applied as Games-time volunteers and the recruitment drive at regional centres will continue until November 10 this year, following which the application process will be closed.

From this point forward, the selection and training events will begin with the Kazan 2013 Summer Universiade set to take place on July 6-17, with 13,500 athletes from over 170 countries set to compete across 27 different summer sports.

Kazan is now establishing itself as one of Russia's biggest sporting cities because as well as the Universiade it has secured the 2015 FINA World Championships and a number of matches during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

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