ArmInfo. In the city of Kapan, Syunik region of Armenia, a modern sports complex will be built on the site of the old stadium. At a meeting on June 6, the RA government recognized the lands and property of the current stadium as a priority public interest.
As the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia Gnel Sanosyan noted in his speech, the land with a total area of 1,992 hectares on which the current stadium is located belongs to the community, and the property belongs to the Gandzasar Sports Center JV. The minister emphasized that the existing infrastructure of the stadium (auditorium, locker rooms, bathrooms, etc.) needs major repairs, as a result of which holding various sports and cultural events at the stadium becomes almost impossible.
After its acquisition by the Republic of Armenia, it is planned, by attracting appropriate funds within the framework of various state programs, to build a sports complex that meets international standards, which, naturally, will be of great importance both for the development of sports and for the socio-economic situation of the region and the entire republic. It will also have implications for the environment, health and cultural development of the city. Moreover, we are talking not only about football, but also other sports. True, as Sanosyan emphasized, the first step in this direction should be the purchase by the state of this facility.
In this regard, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan recalled that the story with the stadium began in 2018. "Then, during a visit to the city, local residents raised the question of the need to return football to Kapan. Meanwhile, the ownership of the current stadium by various organizations, between which contradictions often arose, as well as between the local football club and the administration of the sports facility, did not allow this wish to be realized," - said the head of the cabinet.
He added that with today's government decision and subsequent programs, football will be returned to the region. There are 2 football teams in the city - "Gandzasar" and "Syunik". The first of them won the First League championship and should be represented in the top league in the new season, but the lack of a proper stadium has put the club in a difficult situation. Pashinyan emphasized that the property of the complex will remain the property of the state, and management of its property can be transferred to football clubs.
In turn, the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia Zhanna Andreasyan pointed out the desire of the Football Federation of Armenia to also take part in this program by making some investments. In particular, the FFA expressed a desire to bring the stadium field in line with international standards.
The minister also said that the Football Federations of Armenia and Georgia decided to submit a bid to jointly host the Youth World Cup in 2029, which will be an additional incentive for the development of football in the country, including by creating appropriate infrastructures. Currently, together with the FFA, four football schools are being built in Yerevan and in the regions.
