Batumi unveiled as European City of Sport for 2019

Georgia’s Black Sea city of Batumi has become the first municipality in the country to receive the title of European City of Sport, giving the location more international exposure ahead of the international competitions it is set to host next year.

The seaside city, located in the Adjara province in Georgia’s west, received this year’s title from the European Capitals and Cities of Sport Federation (ACES Europe).

The move follows a visit by a commission from the Brussels-based organisation in July, with President Gian Francesco Lupattelli noting the "new and modern facilities” and "sport policies” as factors in the final decision.

Marking the decision, a delegation from Batumi will formally receive the title at the European Parliament in Brussels in December, with MEPs and mayors from European cities in attendance.

Among international sports events hosted in Batumi this year is the 43rd Chess Olympiad, with about 4,000 competitors and delegates from 189 countries set to travel to the seaside location for the tournament.

A range of new sports venues is also springing up in the Adjara regional capital, with an ice rink, sports hall and a UEFA-standards football stadium — featuring a capacity for 20,000 spectators — set to be unveiled.

The existing and new venues will be used for a wide range of sports and cultural events and competitions in 2019.

ACES Europe has also declared the European Capital of Sport, with the honour going to Budapest, the Hungarian capital, for 2019.