June the 2nd, 2023 – A chance for Split infrastructure renewal could lie in a golden sporting opportunity that doesn’t come around very often.
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, A chance for Split infrastructure renewal could come in the form of its candidacy as the European Games’ host.
“Infrastructure – cost or investment in the sporting community” was the recently discussed topic at the session of the Parliamentary Committee for Family, Youth and Sport. How profitable the construction of sports infrastructure is and what its impact on the economy is were among the questions posed.
Costs and benefits, investments and rewards
In addition, how important the strategic planning of type of construction of sports facilities is, and why it’s important to have a prescribed network of sports buildings in the Spatial Plans of cities and counties was talked about. Mirjana Cagalj, vice-president of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) for construction and transport, also spoke.
“To begin with, I’d say that sport infrastructure is an investment in the entire community, not just the sporting one. Sport facilities can generate revenue from various sources such as ticket sales, sponsorships, TV rights, food and drink sales, rentals, concerts and so on. So, with careful planning, sport facilities can greatly contribute to economic development and sporting culture in Croatia. Let’s take Split or Zagreb, where the Mediterranean Games changed the outlook of the city, and now we have the opportunity to host the European Games in Split, which would bring huge economic effects”, Cagalj pointed out.
A chance for absolutely enormous revenues
Cagalj clarified that the organisation of the largest multi-sport event that would ever take place in Croatia would entail the arrival of 7,000 athletes and around 2,000 accompanying persons. Revenues from sponsors, ticket sales and licensed products are estimated at a massive 26 million euros. Most importantly, the estimate is that the indirect effect – mostly tourism – that the city and county would achieve from the predicted 155,000 overnight stays would be worth 21.7 million euros.
Economic benefits are also a lure
“We’re candidates for the European Games in Split. This is a great opportunity for Split infrastructure renewal, to get young people involved in sport and sport-related jobs. Preparations for such events take two years, and there is also a clear impact on employment and the motivation of young people to enter and stay in sport. Split, with the largest number of Olympic medals per capita, deserves this opportunity,” commented the general secretary of the Croatian Olympic Committee, Sinisa Krajac.
