The construction of the national stadium is a project of strategic importance for Montenegrin sports, especially for football infrastructure, which currently does not meet the standards necessary to host the most important international competitions.
This was stated by the Minister of Sports and Youth, Dragoslav Šćekić, in an interview with the Mina news agency.
“Currently, intensive work is underway to select the most suitable location and prepare detailed project documentation. The national stadium will be a modern sports complex with capacities that meet the requirements of UEFA and FIFA, which will not only enhance domestic football but also increase Montenegro’s tourist and sports visibility on the international level,” Šćekić said.
According to him, the Government and the Ministry of Sports are committed to the realization of this ambitious project, which will bring long-term benefits for sports and society as a whole.
He also mentioned that the construction of the eastern stand at the City Stadium in Podgorica remains a priority in the 2025 budget plan.
“We are aware of the importance of this project for improving the stadium’s capacity, which currently does not fully meet the standards for international competitions. The Ministry is making efforts to secure the necessary financial resources and accelerate the project’s implementation. The completion of the eastern stand will not only increase the stadium’s capacity but also improve the overall user experience for spectators, which is a key step in modernizing sports infrastructure in Montenegro,” Šćekić said.
According to him, the proposed budget for 2025 represents a significant step in the strategic approach to improving sports in Montenegro, and the Ministry of Sports and Youth is proud of the planned funding.
He also added that one of the priorities is to cover the pool at the Sports Center Morača in Podgorica, which will allow for year-round use of the facility.
“Additional funds are allocated for the adaptation of school sports fields across Montenegro, which shows a broad and comprehensive approach to investments. While sports require constant resource increases, it is clear that the planned funding provides a solid foundation for all future investments,” Šćekić said.
He believes that the failure to adopt the 2025 budget proposal would have serious implications for the implementation of key strategic initiatives in sports.
“Specifically, delaying the pool cover project at the Morača Sports Center would not only slow down progress in the development of water sports in Montenegro but would also seriously jeopardize the country’s candidacy to host the 2028 European Water Polo Championship,” Šćekić said.
Additionally, the postponement of the reconstruction of the sports hall in Berane, which is intended for Paralympic sports, would seriously slow down the development of sports activities.
“We are witnessing the potential we have in that sport, as recently confirmed by the Olympic medal of Filip Radović in table tennis. Besides the impact on infrastructure, delays in budget adoption would also slow down financial support for sports federations, disrupting the continuity of work for many sports organizations. In this context, timely budget adoption is crucial for ensuring stability and improving efforts in this essential area,” Šćekić stated.
Šćekić emphasized that the capital budget for 2025 contains carefully planned investments in key sports projects that will significantly improve infrastructure and conditions for athletes.
In addition to the aforementioned projects, the construction of the Olympic House is also planned. This facility will combine the functions of an Olympic museum, an educational academy, a space for innovation and collaboration in sports, and a hub for gathering athletes.
“Through an investment of 700,000 EUR, school sports fields across Montenegro will be given a new dimension, providing young people access to quality sports infrastructure,” Šćekić added.
He also mentioned the plan to build a modern athletic stadium in Podgorica, valued at 13 million EUR, which will feature a certified athletic track, seating for 2,500 people, and additional facilities such as an athletic tunnel and gym.
