eKapija | RETROSPECTIVE 2011 - Investments in SPORTS that drew greatest attention of eKapija's users in 2011

eKapija`s investment team has recently done an analysis and formed the rank list of investments and investment ideas that drew the greatest attention of eKapija`s users in 2011. The results are very interesting, some are expected, but there is a plenty of surprises, so that we`ve decided to share this information with you.

Projects are classified into 12 categories and this time we are presenting the most interesting investments in the category of SPORTS.

Despite the failures of our national team and clubs in European competitions, the interest shown by eKapija`s users in 2011 has proved that football is still the most important secondary thing in the world. Our readers were interested the most in learning more about future football stadiums. In order to make it possible for some other sports facilities in addition to two famous stadiums in Belgrade to host international competitions, the Serbian government approved the reconstruction of stadiums across Serbia under an emergency construction assistance program. In that way, stadiums in Kragujevac, Vrsac and Novi Pazar will get a new look, while Gornji Milanovac will obtain a new stadium in 2012.

Transformation of the football stadium Marakana into a multifunctional complex "fell" from last year`s second place to this year`s fourth position. This project significantly gained in popularity when Vladimir Putin visited Belgrade. However, what is for certain is that another stadium, the one in Vozdovac, will be turned into a complex comprising office space, that is, a shopping center with a stadium on its roof. That project is still under the veil of secrecy because the project investor does not want to reveal any details, but passers-by can see that the works are in progress.

(future look of Vozdovac Sports and Business Center)

Another interesting football story is last year`s opening of the House of Football. Our readers wanted to know which facilities can be found within the famous complex in Stara Pazova.

The most successful basketball club in Serbia will get a practice arena, which is announced as a new symbol of Partizan and Belgrade. The capital city of Serbia should also get an athletics arena in 2012.

The first-ranked on the list is Vozdovac Sports and Business Center, which will span 74,600 square meters and feature a football field on its roof. According to some estimates, the company Eurobau Connect should invest EUR 22 million in this facility. It is announced as a new attraction in Belgrade, one-of-the-kind facility in the region and third of the kind in Europe. The latest information regarding this project is that Sirbegovic Group from Gracanica (Bosnia-Herzegovina) signed an agreement on 11 October 2011 in Belgrade to resume construction works.

future look of the practice arena of Partizan Basketball Club (Photo: Mihailo Lujak)

Success and spectacle inspired the authors of the second-ranked project on our list. It is the practice arena of Partizan Basketball Club whose construction will be financed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the City of Belgrade. It will be situated in the vicinity of Pionir sports arena in Belgrade. This new arena, which should be a symbol of the successful European club, will span 1,750 square meters and comprise a central court and two side courts, as well as accompanying facilities - locker rooms, gym, premises for the club`s management. There will also be stands for 300 spectators.

The third place belongs to the construction of a swimming pool complex between Stara Pazova and Nova Pazova. The first phase of construction was completed in late 2011. This water sports center, which will comprise seven swimming pools with accompanying facilities, is intended for both recreational and professional athletes.

(Star City)

The fourth-ranked on this list is an investment in the new stadium of Crvena Zvezda Football Cluc and Star City, which was first announced in 2010, but it still captures attention due to significance of the project. It was announced that the Portuguese-British consortium Sonae Sierra was ready to invest EUR 250 million in the construction of Zvezda`s new stadium and neighboring business and residential facilities. Total value of Star City is estimated at about EUR 500 million. If this "sports project of the century" was implemented, Crvena Zvezda would have the fourth most expensive stadium in Europe. However, when it comes to the business section of this complex, its main competitor will be Delta Planet. The company Delta may start the construction of this shopping mall, announced as the largest in the Balkans, as early as this year.

The fifth place belongs to an investment of the company Metalac, the municipality of Gornji Milanovac and the Property Directorate, worth EUR 3 million. It is the construction of a new stadium that Metalac Football Club has been dreaming of for a long time. This SuperLiga member expects to be able to play national league`s matches at the new stadium as early as in June 2012.

The opening of the House of Football in May 2011 is another dream-come-true. This project, worth EUR 15 million, ranks sixth on our list. The sports complex of the Football Association of Serbia will comprise 6 football pitches, stands with 500 seats, a shooting box spanning 2,400 square meters, a running track, hard tennis courts, a 1,500-square-meter indoor arena with universal floor, a wellness center and a medical center. The complex also includes a four-star hotel with 66 rooms and 4 suites, a restaurant and a conference room.

The seventh-ranked investment, Cika Daca in Kragujevac, is one of the 10 football stadiums whose reconstruction is financed by the UEFA, the Serbian government and the city authorities.

The eighth place belongs to an athletics arena in the location of the Military Academy in Belgrade, worth EUR 4.8 million. This should be the first arena ever built exclusively for athletics, and the first facility for track and field athletes in our country was opened few days ago in Novi Sad.

The ninth on our list is the first solar sports arena in Serbia. Built in less than five months, this arena in the yard of Branko Radicevic Primary School in Surcin`s settlement of Boljevci uses solar energy to heat.

RETROSPECTIVE 2011 - Investments in SPORTS that drew greatest attention of eKapija's users in 2011

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