Developing football in Slovakia
Article summary
Football in Slovakia continues to move forward with purpose – with a strategy aiming to confirm the game’s popularity and nurture its well-being at all levels.
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Overview
The Slovak Football Association has placed great faith in the strategic plan established for the period between 2018 and 2022.
Main goals within the strategy are youth development, progress in the grassroots sector and projects aimed at further developing the country’s football infrastructures.
Important UEFA assistance, via the HatTrick development programme, is helping to fund the SFZ’s grassroots activities, in particular the School Cup – the biggest sports competition for primary and secondary schools in Slovakia. Around 25,000 youngsters take part in this competition. A major campaign is also under way to reinforce girls’ and women’s football development activities.
UEFA support
Construction of 14 artificial pitches
The SFZ decided to invest the major part of UEFA’s HatTrick IV financial support into regional football infrastructures. The project focuses on the construction of 14 full-size (105 x 68 m) training pitches with artificial turf in all regions across Slovakia. The pitches are used mainly for training purposes, and can also be used for games in lower divisions or youth competitions in case of adverse weather conditions.
National training centre in Senec – main stadium pitch
The Slovak FA owns two national training centres (NTC) in Poprad and Senec. The association has used most of its HatTrick III and part of its HatTrick IV funds for the construction of the national centre in Poprad. Apart from the reconstruction of an artificial training pitch and floodlighting system in Senec (both financed with support of HatTrick III funds), additional infrastructures at the Senec centre has required revision or reconstruction.
Implementation of VAR in the Slovak first division
After setting up the VAR training centre in Senec, the Slovak FA intends to implement the VAR system in the Slovak first division (Fortuna Liga) starting from the 2020/2021 season. The main aim is to increase the level of refereeing in Slovak football.
The implementation project will cover the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 seasons (three matches a week). From 2022/23, it is planned to implement the VAR system for every Fortuna Liga game, a move that will require more investment, in particular to cover operating costs.
Timeline
Association history
1938: Founding of the Slovak Football Association.
1939–45: An independent Slovak league is played.
The Slovak FA is also a FIFA member during this period.
1969: Slovak club Slovan Bratislava, representing Czechoslovakia, win the European Cup Winners’ Cup, beating Barcelona 3-2 in the final.
1993: Slovak football begins creating its own modern history when Czechoslovakia splits into Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
1993: The Slovak FA joins UEFA.
1994: The association joins FIFA.
National team competitions
1976: A large contingent of Slovak players, as well as assistant coach Jozef Vengloš, helps Czechoslovakia to win the European Championship.
2000: Slovakia participate in the Olympic football tournament in Sydney.
2010: Slovakia qualify for their first FIFA World Cup.
2016: The national team takes part in UEFA EURO 2016 in France.
2019: Slovakia qualify for UEFA EURO 2020.
President
Ján Kováčik
Nationality: Slovakian
Date of Birth: 4 December 1962
Association president since: 2010
General secretary
Peter Palenčík
Nationality: Slovakian
Date of birth: 8 August 1975
Association general secretary since: 2020