MARIBOR EUROPEAN CITY OF SPORT 2018 Candidate MARIBOR - EUROPEAN CITY OF SPORT 2018 candidate 0 PREFACE 5 1 MARIBOR – DEVELOPING INTO A CITY OF SPORT 12 2 SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE 20 2.1 PUBLIC SPORTS FACILITIES 22 2.2 LOCAL SPORTS FACILITIES SUBJECT TO PRIVATE MANAGEMENT 47 2.3 INVESTMENTS IN SPORTS FACILITIES 56 CONTENT 2.4 PLANNED SPORTS FACILITIES AND PROJECTS 58 3 CLUBS AND COMPETITIONS 62 3.1 SPORTS CLUBS 64 3.2 COMPETITIONS ORGANISED BY THE SPORTS FEDERATION OF MARIBOR 67 3.3 THE UNIVERSITY SPORTS ASSOCIATION MARIBOR 72 4 SPORTS EVENTS 74 5 TRAINING COURSES, WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES 78 6 VOLUNTARY WORK AND EVENTS 82 7 ACCESS TO FACILITIES FOR ALL USERS 86 7.1 ACCESS TO PUBLICLY OWNED SPORTS FACILITIES 91 8 ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE HEALTH AND INTEGRATION 92 9 SPORTS DEVELOPMENT PLAN 96 10 SPORTS TOURISM 100 11 AMBASSADORS AND LOCAL ATHLETES SUPPORTING CANDIDATURE FOR ECS 2018 104 11.1 LETTERS OF SUPPORT FROM SUCCESSFUL ATHLETES 108 12 PLANNED EVENTS AND PROMOTIONS AS EUROPEAN CITY OF SPORT 114 12.1 SPORTS EVENTS IN 2018 117 12.2 PROMOTION OF SPORTS TOURISM IN 2018 124 3 0 PREFACE 0 PREFACE MARIBOR - EUROPEAN CITY OF SPORT 2018 candidate Maybe these are the reasons why some many successful city of sport for all citizens, daily visitors, sports athletes come from Maribor and why the city is known tourism and professional sport groups, but also as a popular and growing sports tourism destination. the disabled through our “barrier-free and disabled Maribor is the second The city and its surroundings offer excellent conditions friendly city” initiative (Access City Award). biggest city in Slovenia for training at both a recreational and professional level. and is known for its many In this area – of only a few square kilometres – on offer Our vision is to develop sports tourism, infrastructure, unique characteristics. It are larger-scale facilities such as sports halls, centres, programmes and fitness workouts because the is the city with the oldest pitches, hospitality infrastructure and outdoor sports conditions here are excellent. The title European City of vine in the world; in 2012 grounds in natural surroundings. Maribor’s citizens can Sport 2018 would help substantially to promote sporting Maribor was the European Capital of Culture and in use various public sports grounds for free to improve activities and Maribor as the destination of sport among 2013 the European Youth Capital. Furthermore, the city their well being and health. citizens, athletes in the region, Europe and worldwide. has a favourable geographic position as it is located near four transport corridors, which have a positive Furthermore, Maribor is an attractive destination Welcome to the most beautiful city in Slovenia! influence on Maribor’s economic development; and for football and hockey summer training camps and close to the border with Austria, Croatia and Hungary. numerous state, European and world championships Dr. Andrej Fištravec, Above all, however, Maribor is a city of sport. According that are organised here. The city is known as the Mayor of the Municipality of Maribor to our estimates, 50% of Maribor’s population actively organiser of one of the oldest World Cup ski races for participates in sports. women – the Golden Fox race. It is the home of numerous national, European and NK Maribor, the local football club, is the most successful world champions. Maribor has hosted an array of club in Slovenia which played in the UEFA Europa European and World Championships and Cups, and League and in the Champions League respectively. has organised various sports and recreational events. Maribor is without doubt the football capital of Slovenia In Maribor, sports have always played an important but it is also the city where the current world champion role. Not only because of its geographical position at in downhill skiing Ilka Štuhec was born. the south-easternmost part of the Central Alps but also because of the rich sports tradition that became Our strategy as a city is to focus on sports tourism, established in the second half of the 19th century. develop sports infrastructure and promote a healthy lifestyle among citizens. We want to become 6 7 0 PREFACE MARIBOR - EUROPEAN CITY OF SPORT 2018 candidate already been done in sports tourism because we are aware and that we want to share the values of our city in a that it is of vital importance for the city and its development broader context. In this sense we are talking about Sport and Maribor – the as a tourist destination. Sports tourism is one of the fastest “Welcome to the city of Maribor as it was in the past, as it is today and as two words which became growing tourism segments and has an impact on the sport” we want to have it in the future. Maribor has been inseparable during the results of consumption and overnight stays (when Maribor recognised as a great city on a number of occasions times of the Olympic gold hosts sporting events and competitions, accommodation Philosophers like Kant – as a city of great people and great ideas. This medal winner Leon Štukelj capacities in and around Maribor are normally booked up and Schiller elaborated synergy of ideas can go towards a sustainable, positive and intertwined even more from 90 to 100%). on the observation or environmental legacy. The awareness that we can and when the local football club manifestation of sport want to achieve more creates forms of cooperation that scored its biggest successes at international level. The potential of the city and the destination Maribor – and its influence on human contentment. today seem unimaginable, and offers the opportunity for Pohorje is enormous because the infrastructure – indoor others to get to know us and our nature. Maybe it is the city’s position next to the Drava river – where and outdoor sports facilities of very good condition – is If we understand philosophy as the highest principle of the green slopes of Pohorje almost merge with lively city life – already here. At the same time the city boasts beautiful human fabric and make sport part of the aforementioned For many decades, some of the most important why Maribor earned its place on the map of sports. Traditional natural surroundings where guests, athletes and their axioms, then the thought that man is the closest to ambassadors of our city have been the athletes. international sporting events are numerous in the city. Let supporting team will feel well regardless of the time of himself when he practices sport is very close to us. Assuming the title European City of Sport is an me mention only the ones which make us – partly because year. The sports and recreational charge of the city can In this sense it is possible to understand why human acknowledgement to them and their contribution, and of the successes of our athletes – particularly proud: The be felt alike by tourists who come to Maribor for active autonomy was constructed through sport and games. we can be only proud of being part of such wonderful Golden Fox skiing competition, football matches held by the holidays or to relax in nature. Since antiquity, sport and games have been associated stories. most successful football club in Slovenia, swimming, tennis, with celebration. They create a festive atmosphere – we volleyball and other international competitions. However, we This potential is also without doubt linked to the success of are all therefore aware of the power of sport in bringing If I may conclude with Kant’s philosophy: sport and are also proud of the successes of individual sport athletes: Maribor athletes at team and individual sports competitions. people together, and creating new bonds and values. games are a symptom for a serious and pressing Taekwon-Do (Tomaž Barada), athletics (Sonja Roman), tennis The combination of the Styrian hospitability and organisation dimension moving towards other dimensions – where (Katarina Srebotnik), ski cross (Filip Flisar), alpine skiing (Ilka of competitions at the highest level puts Maribor high on the This way of thinking does not allow the separation of a person can be free morally and physically. This Štuhec), rowing (Rok Kolander), bowling (Marija Nagy), list of quality, attractive and affordable destinations for the sport, culture and tourism in a broader social context. dimension is free of everything rational and the power biathlon (Sašo Grajf), karate (Ljubo Javoršek), swimming organisation of sporting events and camps. By attaching such great intimate importance to sport we of imagination gives man the possibility to play and (Matjaž Koželj) and many others. Each year, workers in sports see how significant the bigger picture is. express through sport. and tourism strive to provide the city with opportunities to Doris Urbančič Windisch, host new generations from multiple sport disciplines, and to Director of Maribor – Pohorje But being a European City of Sport is a step higher Mag. Gregor Žmak, uphold a positive environment that promotes sport. A lot has Tourist Board on the ladder. It means that we are doing a good job Director of the Sport Office, Municipality of Maribor 8 9 0 PREFACE MARIBOR - EUROPEAN CITY OF SPORT 2018 candidate sport – including occasional recreation the percentage environments. There is the river where rowers train, large is higher than 60%. The city long ago decided to indoor facilities, the unspoiled hills of Pohorje, nature, Maribor has always earmark a budget to co-finance sporting activities “Knowledge and and so much more... All these attractions are something been regarded as a city for vulnerable groups – children, young people and tradition for the we can be proud of. of opportunities and disabled persons, but also the elderly above 63 years development of sport in its citizens have always of age.