Shenzhen will formally launch its bid to host the 2011 Universiade Games by sending a delegation to Brussels, Belgium, to hand in bid documents to the International University Sports Federation (FISU) early next month.

The news was announced at a meeting of the city's bid committee Wednesday afternoon. Li Yizhen, the city's deputy Party chief, and Vice Mayor Liang Daoxing attended the meeting.

The bid documents include a written guarantee endorsed by the China University Sports Federation, a written confirmation of support signed by Guangdong Governor Huang Huahua, a written commitment given by Shenzhen Mayor Xu Zongheng.

The Shenzhen Academy of Social Sciences has mapped out a plan for a formal bid report, which will be finished by the end of January next year.

Senior officials from Shenzhen attended the general meeting of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) in Brussels in January this year, to declare its intention to host the Universiade. Shenzhen would be the second Chinese city after Beijing to hold the event if it wins the bid. Beijing hosted the event in 2001.

There will be 30 stadiums in Shenzhen by 2011 with the capacity to stage the global sports event.

The city government plans to build a 1.2-sqm international Olympic center in Longgang District, which is expected to cost more than 3 billion yuan (US$360 million). The center will include a 60,000-seater stadium, a 16,000-seater gymnasium and other facilities covering 350,000 sqm.

The city will also establish an athletes' village to accommodate international university students.

The host city of the 2011 Universiade will be decided during the general meeting of FISU in January 2007, which will take place simultaneously along with the 2007 Turin Winter Universiade in Italy.

(Shenzhen Daily October 28, 2005)