Shalva Gogoladze: "The state will save more than 100 million GEL as a result of the reconstruction of the Olympic Palace, which will meet all international standards of the International Basketball Federation and become multifunctional!"
A joint press conference was held by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport and the Georgian Basketball Federation regarding the hosting of the 2021 FIBA European Basketball Championship. The press conference was attended by Deputy Minister Shalva Gogoladze, President of the Basketball Federation Paata Guraspauli, Secretary General Giga Kartvelishvili, and former national team member Manuchar Markoishvili.
At the press conference, Shalva Gogoladze spoke about issues related to hosting EuroBasket 2021 and noted that the state is doing everything possible to host the event at the highest level.
Shalva Gogoladze: “In 2019, according to the decision made by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), Georgia earned the right to host one of the groups of the 2021 European Basketball Championship. Holding the European Championship in Georgia is a major achievement for the country.
The Government of Georgia, together with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, the National Basketball Federation, and all relevant agencies, is doing everything to host the group stage of the European Championship with dignity and at a high level.
To host EuroBasket 2021, two projects were considered:
- The construction of a new multifunctional sports arena, which would cost the country's budget approximately up to 200 million GEL;
- The complete reconstruction of the existing Olympic Palace, the cost of which will be several times lower.
Following final consultations with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the Government of Georgia and the Basketball Federation made a joint decision, and the reconstruction of the Olympic Palace located in the area of the University's high-rise building was deemed the best option.
As a result of this decision, the state will save well over 100 million GEL, and following the reconstruction, the Olympic Palace will meet all international standards of the International Basketball Federation and become multifunctional. The arena will be designed for 10,500 spectators and will serve important international tournaments held in various sports.“
It is noteworthy that in order to secure the right to host the European Championship, Georgia has already paid the official guarantee amount stipulated by the 2019 obligation to the International Basketball Federation - 700,000 EUR. In total, the guarantee amount is 1,800,000 EUR, which will be covered according to the subsequent official schedule. The group stage matches of the 2021 European Basketball Championship will be held in Tbilisi from September 2-19. Alongside Georgia, the co-hosts of the European Championship are Germany, Italy, and the Czech Republic.
