Fourteen Vietnamese student athletes are competing in the 27 th Summer Universiade which officially opens on July 6 in Kazan , the capital of Russia ’s Tartastan state.

Members of the Vietnamese team on July 5 witnessed the Vietnam flag hoisted during a ceremony which took place in the presence of representatives from the International University Sports Federation and other international delegations.

The Vietnamese group, led by Deputy Minister of Education and Training and Chairman of the Vietnam Student Sports Association Tran Quang Quy, will take part in four of 27 events this year.

The 2013 Summer Universiade will be held from July 6-17, with the participation of over 13,000 athletes from 170 nations and territories worldwide.

The annual event, first held in France in 1973, is considered the biggest of its kinds for students. This is where sporting talent is often scouted ahead of more professional and high level competitions.-VNA