Estonia – Football infrastructure growing

In accordance with the project, the government will make an annual investment of €6 million (€1.5 million per indoor hall) and local governments will contribute about the same amount.

Before the start of the project, there were a handful of indoor halls in Estonia, located in the capital, Tallinn. For 2020, money was allocated for the construction of four indoor halls in Tartu, Rapla, Viljandi and Haapsalu. The last two were built and opened at the end of last year.

Indoor halls

Both the Viljandi Männimäe indoor hall and the Haapsalu Uuemõisa indoor hall have already been actively used by the Estonian women’s national team and various youth teams. In the state budget for 2021 and 2022, funds were allocated for the construction of eight more indoor halls in Jõhvi, Rakvere, Kuressaare, Pärnu, Narva, Paide, Jõgeva and Viimsi.

The new football halls will have turf that meets FIFA requirements and will be located in the immediate vicinity of an educational institution. Therefore, they can also be used to promote other sports and physical activity.

According to Anne Rei, general secretary of the Estonian Football Association, the project is a big step in the development of the sport. “The construction of indoor halls in Estonia was highly anticipated and this is also shown by our good cooperation with the government and local authorities. Due to the Estonian climate, training is often difficult during winter. Indoor halls significantly improve opportunities for all top and amateur athletes training in Estonia. This development is also useful in order to bring the training conditions of football players in Estonia in line with those of other ball games.”

This article originally appeared in UEFA Direct 197