ERZURUM, July 12. (A.A). Turkey is getting prepared for the 2011 Winter Universiade, and building facilities in the eastern province of Erzurum, local youth and sports director said on Friday.
Director Fatih Cintimar said their city had constructed two ice-skating arenas so far for the winter universiade.
"Four others are under construction, and they will be handed over to us within a month," Cintimar told AA correspondent.
Cintimar said five ski jumping ramps were almost constructed, and also a 5-star hotel with 50-bed capacity was being built just beside the jumping ramps.
"A new skiing resort has been established in Konakli, some 17 kilometers away from downtown Erzurum," he said.
Cintimar said there were four lifts and two-storey skiing school in Konakli.
Also, four new lifts were constructed at the Palandoken Skiing Resort, and efforts were under way to build a 150,000 cubic meter-puddle to produce artificial snow, Cintimar said.
Cintimar said a holiday village was constructed on Ataturk University's campus for accomodation of athletes.
Turkish atletes were preparing for the universiade, however Turkey was not so good at winter sports, Cintimar said.
Cintimar also said 2011 would be a giant leap for Turkey, and he had full belief that Turkey would get good results in winter sports in coming years.
The 2011 Winter Universiade will take place in Erzurum between January 27 and February 6.
The Erzurum universiade will consist of Alpine skiing, biathlon, ice hockey, curling, ski jumping, cross country, Nordic combined, snowboard, freestyle skiing, figure skating and short track events.
