Second European Games in Belarus

Minsk European Games stay on budget

MINSK, 15 April (BelTA) – Costs for the 2nd European Games remain within the previously approved budget. There are no plans to increase the spending, Belarus Prime Minister Sergei Rumas, who heads the 2nd European Games organizing committee in Belarus, told the media after a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Belarusian National Olympic Committee on 15 April, BelTA has learned.

“We are staying within budget. Moreover, in terms of  attracting sponsors from within the country we are set to exceed the expectations,” the prime minister said. According to him, more local private organizations are wiling to advertise their products during the European Games,” Sergei Rumas said.

With regard to foreign sponsors of the European Games, the prime minister noted with regret that the European Olympic Committees have not coped with their task and have not been able to attract any foreign sponsor. “But we will make up for this by the foreign sponsors attracted by the directorate of the games. Of course, we will not reach the initial figures [funds to be raised from external sponsorship]. If the EOC entrusted us with this task two years ago, we surely would have been able to attract external sponsors for such a large sporting event,” Sergei Rumas said.

He stressed that all the issues concerning the preparation of the 2nd European Games are under constant control of the organizing Committee. They are discussed regularly, almost on a weekly basis and are dealt with at the level of the organizing committee.

The preparation for the sport event was discussed at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Belarusian National Olympic Committee with the participation of the head of state, NOC President Aleksandr Lukashenko. “The issues that will help our country hold this huge sporting event at a high level were the subject of consideration at the meeting,” Sergei Rumas said.

“Some issues with regard to the repair of three facilities are yet to be settled. Some 95% of the equipment has already been installed, the remaining is supplied on schedule. By 15 May, all facilities will be fully ready,” the prime minister said.

The hospitality industry  is also gearing up to welcome participants and guests of the games. Issues of pricing in the run-up to European Games are under special control. The Minsk European Games Organizing Committee (MEGOC) has signed contracts with all major hotels to cap the prices for the period of this large-scale sporting event. Naturally, the government will monitor the implementation of this agreement by all its signatories,” Sergei Rumas noted. There are also alternative accommodation facilities such as agri-tourism estates, apartments. The government does not regulate prices in this segment. Yet, the prime minister expressed confidence that they will be within the market average prices.

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