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Kosovo: Reconstruction 2000
April 2000
14. Sport
14.1 Overview
Background
In recent years the opportunities for Kosovar Albanians to observe or
participate in organised sports activities have been constrained. Existing
facilities are in poor condition mainly through neglect. As sports are,
however, very popular there is considerable demand for the provision of
improved facilities across a wide range of sporting activities. Discussions
with municipalities have generated pressure at the municipal level to call on
the public sector for provision of new or upgraded capital. Municipalities
seek provision of a wide range of facilities with significant cost
implications. The majority of requests from municipalities are, however, for
new facilities that do not rate a high priority for any public funding without
further detailed consideration.
In addition to the damage to sports facilities caused by the conflict and
previous neglect, in February 2000 the major sports complex, in Pristina, the
Boro e Ramiz Centre, was badly damaged by fire. This facility has symbolic
importance as it was constructed with the proceeds of a special levy on
income, which was imposed for several years. Recent engineering assessment
suggests that this facility could cost DM 19 million to refurbish or up to DM
120 million to replace (in which case there would be improved fire safety and
access standards as well as improved construction and application of
technology). Replacement of this facility is not proposed in this document.
Progress to Date
-
The IMG surveyed the state of sporting facilities across the country in
1999-2000. Based on that estimate, restoration of facilities would cost in the
order of DM 5 million, excluding school based facilities. The municipalities
not included in this program have acceptable basic facilities or access to
some suitable alternative.
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Discussions have commenced with a potential donor to meet all of the
proposed costs in 2000. Also in 2000, the Department of Sport is developing,
in conjunction with the local sporting associations and the municipalities, a
comprehensive plan of activities for the sports sector, to promote local
initiatives. A range of devices, such as matching or block grants,
sponsorships and cooperation between local associations and international
bodies is favoured. It is intended that the management and development of
sport and the appropriate facilities will be implemented through the
municipalities in co-operation with the sporting associations.
Priorities
-
The immediate priority of the Department of Sport is to re-establish
facilities at the local level which will enable Kosovars, particularly the
young, to engage in sport of some kind this summer. The main strategy is to
target small projects in a wide range of locations, using donor funding and
gaining the support and commitment of local sporting associations and
municipalities for their operation and maintenance from local sources.
Large-scale projects identified by the municipalities, if carried out, will
require cooperation with private sector supporters and sponsors, local and
international sporting bodies and a more balanced public/private partnership.
It is expected that their management and maintenance will be the
responsibility of the Municipality concerned.
-
The Department will work in 2000 to establish a model in which a wide range
of funding sources are utilized, including sponsorship arrangements and
cooperation at local levels and wider contacts through the sports associations
in order that this more balanced public/private model of sports development
can operate. This will be done within the resources provided in the Kosovo
Consolidated Budget. At this stage there is no reliable indicator of capital
funds requirement for 2001 although this will be considered in the context of
the 2001 budget preparation.
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The following table summarizes the requirements identified through
consultation with municipalities and associations but based primarily on the
IMG survey.
Sports Priorities (DM million)
|
Description |
Total |
|
Rehabilitation of existing facilities <DM 100,000 |
0.72 |
|
Rehabilitation of existing facilities >DM 100,000 |
4.32 |
|
Total |
5.04 |
14.2 Sports Priorities
Refurbishment of Existing Facilities in Municipalities with Individual
Project Cost of less than DM 100,000
-
The sum identified would enable restoration of sports facilities in the
following municipalities:
|
Municipality |
Facilities |
Municipality |
Facilities |
|
Djakovica/Gjakove |
1 |
Glogovac/Gllogovc |
1 |
|
Gnjilane/Gjilan |
1 |
Kacanik/Kacanik |
1 |
|
Kosovo Polje/Fushe Kosove |
3 |
K. Mitrovica/Mitrovice e K. |
4 |
|
Leposavic/Leposaviq |
1 |
Lipljane/Lipjan |
1 |
|
Obilic/Obiliq |
3 |
Orahovac/Rahovec |
2 |
|
Podujevo/Podjeve |
1 |
Suva Reke/Suha Reke |
1 |
|
Vucitrn/Vushtrri |
1 |
Zubin Potok/Zubin Potok |
1 |
|
Zvecan/Zvecan |
1 |
Malisevo/Malisheve |
1 |
|
Total |
12 |
Total |
12 |
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The restoration would generally provide a playing field or sports centre
with basic facilities, at acceptable safety standards, for some sports for all
members of the community and particularly for children over the summer. The
standards of repair will allow development of competition where appropriate
and foster higher level events.
Refurbishment of Facilities Where Cost Exceeds DM 100, 000 per Municipality
-
Funds in the order of DM 4.3 million would provide the capacity to restore
facilities in the municipalities of Urosevac/Ferizaj, Prizren/Prizren, Pec/Peje
and Pristina/Prishtine. These municipalities cover larger populations and
there are some significant facilities, the major one being a swimming pool
restoration in Pristina (DM 1.04 million).
-
The pool in Pristina was originally constructed through a tax levy on the
local population. It is expected that, once restored it will be managed by the
Municipality and financed largely through entry charges. Similar principles
are expected to apply to facilities in other centres.
Rehabilitation of existing facilities >DM 100,000 (DM million)
|
Description |
Total |
|
Municipality of Pec/Peje (Two centres) |
1.03 |
|
Municipality of Pristina/Prishtine (Four centres) |
1.47 |
|
Municipality of Prizren/Prizren (One centre) |
0.84 |
|
Municipality of Urosevac/Ferizaj (Three centres) |
0.98 |
|
Total |
4.32 |
Note: The threshold is cost per Municipality not cost per project.
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