SHENZHEN - The Village for the 26th Universiade officially opened here on Saturday, and it will be home to over 12,000 athletes and officials from more than 120 countries and regions during the games.

"It is a very special moment, when the door open to the games, and to the participants and numerous volunteers... The Universiade Village will be the home where the participants from the different cultures, languages, and give them an unique opportunity to make friends and share new experiencea," said the International University Sports Federation (FISU) president George E.Killian at the ceremony.

Lin Musheng, vice president of the Shenzhen Universiade Organizing Committee, promised the service team will spare no efforts to offer athletes-oriented service for guests from all over the world.

"As the host, Shenzhen is ready, and the Universiade is ready," he said.

Following the opening ceremony, the Chinese sports delegation was welcomed to the Universiade, who are the first guests entering the Village.

The Universiade 2011 Shenzhen will be held here from Aug. 12 to 23. After the games, the Village will be used as the campus of Shenzhen Institute of Information Technologies