UEFA HAT-TRICK COMMITTEE MEETING IN THE SPORTS CENTER OF THE FA OF SERBIA | PRESIDENT DRAGAN DŽAJIĆ THANKED FOR THE BESTOWED CONFIDENCE WISHING SUCCESSFUL WORK AND A PLEASANT STAY IN SERBIA

A honor and privilege, but above all trust and mutual respect. UEFA and the Football Association of Serbia, partners, and friends. Pictures from the FSS Sports Center in Stara Pazova, where the meeting of the UEFA HAT-TRICK Committee, one of the most important sectors in the European Football Union system, is being held today. FSS President Dragan Džajić, FSS Secretary General Jovan Šurbatović and Zoran Gajić, Minister for Youth and Sports in the Government of the Republic of Serbia welcomed the guests. In the introductory part, before the beginning of the meeting, words of welcome, then also tokens of esteem to remind the president of the UEFA HAT-TRICK committee Karl Erik Nilsson and his associates of his stay in Serbia and the FSS Sports Center in Stara Pazova.

„Dear President of the HAT-TRICK Committee, Mr. Nilsson, representatives of UEFA and members of the HAT-TRICK Committee, dear Minister for Sports of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, it is my honor to greet you on behalf of the Football Association of Serbia and to welcome you to our Sports Center in Stara Pazova. The trust you have bestowed upon us to be the organizers and hosts of the Committee meeting, which, along with the of National Associations committee, is certainly the most important sector in the UEFA system, is one of the greatest recognitions that the umbrella football organization has shown to our association. At the same time, it is also a big obligation to be up to the task and to enable you to work successfully these two days in the Serbian house of football. As the president of the Football Association of Serbia, I must be proud of the fact that this facility is one of the most modern and functional sports complexes in Europe and that serves as an example to other associations of how funds from HET-TRIK funds are used adequately. Thanks to the joint investment of UEFA, the state of Serbia and local authorities, one of the most important projects in the history of Serbian football was realized, and generations of Serbian football players were provided with maximum quality work and all possible conditions for the preparation of important matches. I know that every meeting of this committee attracts a lot of attention from the national associations because it is where decisions of crucial importance for the further development of football are made. That’s why I once again wish you successful work and a pleasant stay in our house of football.” – said Dragan Džajić, president of the Football Association of Serbia.

Yesterday, guests from UEFA in the company of Branislav Nedimović, the FSS vice-president, had the opportunity to get to know the sports complex in Stara Pazova, and were hiding no surprise by what they saw. A magnificent training center was built in partnership of UEFA, the State of Serbia, and the Municipality of Stara Pazova, on 12 hectares, which has been improved and modernized over time.

Minister for Sports of the Government of the Republic of Serbia Zoran Gajić greeted the members of the UEFA Hat-Trick Committee:

„Dear friends, representatives of UEFA, members of the Hat-Trick Committee headed by Mr. Karl Erik Nilsson, vice-president of UEFA, representatives of the Football Association of Serbia and dear guests, it is a great honor for me that the Republic of Serbia and the Football Association of Serbia have been chosen by UEFA to host the meeting of the Hat Trick Committee, which represents one of the most important sectors of UEFA because it promotes the development of football at all levels and improves the quality of infrastructure in all countries throughout Europe. By using funds from the Hat-Trick program and joint investments with the state and local authorities, the most modern infrastructure is built as a base and logistics for a top sports result. This is precisely why a good connection and cooperation is very important to improve the sports infrastructure through joint action. One of such projects is the construction of Sports Center in Stara Pazova in 2011, where we are currently located, and which is one of the most modern and functional football complexes of the Old Continent. We are all witnesses that constant investment in innovation is needed in sport, so the Football Association of Serbia recognized the need to install the most modern hybrid turf in the stadia of all Serbian Super League clubs, modeled after the fields of play used in the strongest leagues in Europe. The better the pitches, the faster and more attractive football is played, and therefore the interest in domestic championship matches grows and our clubs become more competitive in international competitions. On this occasion, I would like to emphasize that the State of Serbia is constantly working on the improvement of sports infrastructure, the construction and renovation of halls and stadiums, so in the previous period as many as three new stadiums were built in Zaječar, Loznica and Leskovac. The crown of a cycle will be the great world fair Expo 2027 under the slogan “Play for humanity – sports and music for all”, which will take place in Belgrade, and part of the complex will be the new magnificent national stadium. It is about the construction of the most modern open, transparent stadium, covered in greenery, which will accommodate 52,000 spectators and will be the place for future major football competitions. To begin with, we hope for good results of the Serbian national football team in the upcoming qualification matches for the European Championship, as well as that our national team will succeed in qualifying for the European Championship that will be held next year. We also hope that Serbia will be positioned high on the map of great organizers and that we will continue to host such meetings in the future. I wish everyone present a successful and fruitful meeting and decisions that will benefit football and sports in general throughout Europe.” – said Zoran Gajić, Minister for Sports of the Government of the Republic of Serbia.