PM Garibashvili unveils new rugby training base in Tbilisi

A new, modern rugby training base boasting two stadium playing areas and other sporting facilities has been opened by the Prime Minster and some of the country’s best aspiring rugby players.

The Lelo Saracens rugby base in Didi Digomi, featuring the same name as the national U20 side, was officially opened today by PM Irakli Garibashvili.

The new facility was part of the state program to develop the country’s rugby grounds in preparation for the Under 20 Rugby World Championship 2017, which Georgia will host.

The 1,750-spectator complex – the latest venue to open following other new venues in Poti and Kutaisi – was unveiled in the outskirts of the capital city, where head of the Government visited the new rugby complex and met with U20 national team players.

Garibashvili said coaches and partners from Scotland and New Zealand – countries with strong rugby traditions and advanced training infrastructure - were "impressed” after seeing the newly opened bases in Georgia.

The Saracens base – a 2,000m2 complex with two stadiums – is equipped with conference, gym and resting rooms as well as VIP, press and match commissioner areas and offices for doctors and doping control. One stadium is equipped with natural grass while the other has artificial grass used for training purposes.

This was the latest project to be completed within the state project to develop Georgian rugby that was started in 2009 with funding from the Cartu Charity Foundation.

Construction of the Saracens base cost 5.6 million GEL ($2.3 million USD), bringing the total expenses for building the three bases (Tbilisi, Poti and Kutaisi) to 24 million GEL ($10 million USD).

Three more rugby complexes are planned to be built before Georgia hosts the 2017 World Rugby U20 Championship.