DUKLA Training Stadium reconstruction completed in line with latest standards of International Sports Federations

Extensive reconstruction and upgrade works are now complete to the Training Stadium which forms part of the Athletics Stadium in the DUKLA Banská Bystrica Military Sports Centre. For the Athletics Stadium to meet all the stadium infrastructure standards and regulations of the International Sports Federations (ISFs) – UEFA 3 and World Athletics, the project budget had to be levelled up by the present MOD leadership. The Training Stadium was officially opened today by Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď and Director of the Military Sports Centre Lt Col Roman Benčík, with the participation of Slovakia's top race walker Matej Tóth.

Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “We are aware of the importance of support the MOD needs to provide to create adequate conditions for our sportsmen and women as an important pre-requisite to enable them to train successfully for top domestic and international sporting events, from where they regularly take home precious medals. Compared to the previous MOD leadership, I am very pleased we have managed to improve the entire project, because a modern stadium must comply with the standards of the 21st century and all criteria of the International Sports Federations. This would not have been possible without extra funding.” He continued: “I am sure the new Training Stadium will give a valuable boost to training and it marks the first significant milestone in restoring the entire sports facility in Štiavničky.” He added the stadium has an all-seated capacity of 8,000 rather than 4,000 as originally planned.

Director of the DUKLA Military Sports Centre Lt Col Roman Benčík said: “The reconstruction of the Training Stadium took seven months to complete and it can now be used by our sportspeople and football players of MFK DUKLA BB. In the future, as the pandemic situation improves, other sports clubs in or around the city will be allowed to use the sporting ground.” He added that the stadium will also be open to local community amateur sports clubs and the sporting public. Finally, he thanked the Ministry of Defence for its support and appreciated its interest in improving the training conditions for the DUKLA sportspeople.

Member of the DUKLA Military Sports Centre Matej Tóth said: “On behalf of all sportspeople, I want to thank for the investments in the entire Military Sports Centre which have come with the new MOD leadership. For us, it is crucial that we can make the best of the excellent training grounds we have in the Military Sports Centre. At the same time, this is motivational for us to proudly represent not only DUKLA, but also the whole of Slovakia.”

The handover inspection of the Training Stadium was completed in November 2020. The reconstruction works to the Training Stadium, which amounted to over €2.4m, were carried out under the DUKLA Military Sports Centre Athletics Stadium Reconstruction Project, worth €14,165,040 incl. VAT, which means an additional €1.2m increase in budget cover.

The Training Stadium required reconstruction works to the running track, the synthetic turf soccer pitch, the jumping and throwing areas, the multi-functional playground for ball games, and the inclined running course to build leg strength for athletes. Complex reconstruction works to the Athletics Stadium are set to be complete by the end of September 2021.