Georgia “fully prepared” to host UEFA European Under-21 Championship - PM

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Tuesday said the country was “fully prepared” to host the UEFA European U21 Championship “with dignity and at the highest level”, while visiting the Ramaz Shengelia Stadium in the western city of Kutaisi, one of the venues renovated for the purpose of hosting matches of the tournament.

Garibashvili highlighted the importance of the Championship and said organising such a “significant” event was both a “huge challenge” and an “enormous honour”, in comments for former athletes, current professional football players, MPs, Government officials and local residents in the city.

Designated among facilities to host matches of the tournament, the venue has been equipped with an irrigation and drainage system, and a pitch of UEFA standards. It also has seen installation or updates to its systems for heating, cooling and security, as well as new seating and LED advertising panels. The project has also involved construction of an administrative building for the venue.

Garibashvili said 10 venues had been renovated for hosting the tournament over the past year, with ₾115 million ($44 million) spent on their rehabilitation. In the budget, ₾35 million ($13 million) was allocated for works on the Ramaz Shengelia Stadium.

He also mentioned the renovated Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi, which he inspected earlier today, noting the facilities were updated according to “modern standards”.

• PM inspects Tbilisi stadium for 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship

I am aware of this city's extremely rich heritage. We regard football very seriously, especially in Kutaisi. This is only the beginning. We have additional large-scale projects that are planned”, he told locals.

Today we will also take a look at the new Olympic-standard swimming pool, which we completed in about two years’ time. We started construction on June 9, 2021, and today we will be able to jointly open this new swimming pool”, he noted.

The PM outlined other “significant projects” completed in the city under the Renewed Regions programme, which has been in effect since 2021, and revealed plans to start renovating Kutaisi and its historic areas under a 200 million ($76 million) investment.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili with local citizens Photo: Government Administration

He also revealed the former Parliament building in the city would be converted into a technology hub and serve as a gathering place for young people working in the IT industry, as well as a “multipurpose, innovative city and base” where “many young people” would gather.

We are gradually renovating the cities, beautifying them, and we want to transform our state, our country into [having] European-type, modern, well-kept, beautiful cities, districts and villages. This is our common goal. Most importantly, of course, all this would not be possible if there was no peace [...] Peace is the key”, the PM said.

"We have managed to maintain peace, we have stability and development, and all that we have been able to do is the merit of peace and the merit of our correct policy", the official added before wishing success to hosts and participants of the upcoming sporting event.