The Agreement on a Joint Arrangement for the Implementation of the Project for the Construction and Use of the National Football/Soccer Stadium was formally signed today at the premises of the Training Center of the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FAB BiH) in Zenica.
The Agreement was signed by the Mayor of Zenica Fuad Kasumović and the President of the FAB BiH Vico Zeljković, thus formalizing the strategic partnership between the City of Zenica and the Football Association on one of the most important infrastructure sports projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
According to the signed document, the national stadium of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be built on the site of the existing Bilino Polje stadium in Zenica, through phased reconstruction and expansion, in accordance with applicable UEFA and FIFA standards.
On this occasion, Mayor Fuad Kasumović emphasized the importance of today’s event for Zenica and Bosnia and Herzegovina:
“This is the struggle of the City Administration with me at the helm, which has lasted seven years. Thanks to the current Executive Committee of the Football Association and President Zeljković, we have reached this historic day for our Zenica. All the people of Zenica know how much it means to us when the national team plays here. The national stadium is not available in many countries, so this is a huge step forward. We are immediately starting the development of the project, and the work will be carried out in phases. Since it is a project of national importance, we expect the involvement of other levels of government. Zenica, in addition to the Arena, the Olympic swimming pool that is under construction, the training center that will be expanded, and the national stadium, it will certainly become the center of sports tourism in BiH. As for NK Celik, this will be their stadium, with the fact that it will now have even better and safer conditions – with a stadium that will be one of the most beautiful in the Balkans,” Kasumović said.
The President of the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vico Zeljković, expressed his gratitude for the patience and vision of the City of Zenica and Mayor Kasumović:
“Today we can talk about a historic day. First of all, I would like to express my great gratitude to Mayor Fuad Kasumović, who not only has a clear vision, but also has shown patience and understanding for the space in which we live. Through partnership, we have managed to reach this significant moment. This is a complex and extensive project, and starting today, we are starting to prepare the main design in order to begin work as soon as possible.”
In accordance with the signed Agreement, the NS/FS BiH takes on the role of the lead in developing the project terms of reference, conceptual and main design. The City of Zenica will form an expert team that will participate in the work and give approval to the project solutions.
It is planned to jointly define a financing model, with active work on involving domestic and international institutions that would support the implementation of this project.
NK Čelik will also have a special status in the future national stadium, which will continue to use the stadium as its home ground. The Agreement also provides for the formation of a joint coordination body that will oversee all phases of the project and lead its implementation.
With this project, Zenica further strengthens its status as a sports center of Bosnia and Herzegovina and proves itself as a reliable partner in the development of infrastructure of national importance, the Zenica city administration announced.
