Erzurum

President Abdullah Gül paid a visit to the eastern province of Erzurum to kick off the World Universiade Winter Games on Jan 27, 2011.

The President was welcomed by State Minister Faruk Özak, Health Minister Recep Akdağ, Erzurum Governor Sebahattin Öztürk and other officials at Erzurum Airport.

He later proceeded to the Cemal Gürsel Sports Complex, where he watched the ice hockey game between Slovenia and Canada.

President Gül, after watching the demonstrations during the opening ceremony with the TBMM Speaker, Mehmet Ali Şahin; Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan; some cabinet members; athletes from the 58 countries participating in the competition and citizens, left the city of Erzurum for Ankara.