OREANDA-NEWS. August 20, 2013. "Eurobasket 2015 will be a powerful impetus for the development of youth and children's sports and promote healthy lifestyle among citizens. Kharkiv is increasingly becoming not only an outstanding intellectual, educational and industrial center of Ukraine, but also sporty center.

Success of Kharkiv’s sportsmen impossible not to notice: Kharkiv Football Club Metalist brilliantly played in the football championship, Mini Football Club Lokomotiv became the champion of Ukraine, Kharkov sportswoman Olena Voronina became world champion in fencing and Anna Ushenina chess world champion. Young Kharkiv citizens successfully play as part of the Ukrainian national team at the European Championship of basketball, which is held now in Kyiv. Kharkiv Volleyball Club Lokomotiv is traditionally strong," vice Prime Minister Olexandr Vilkul said during a working visit to Kharkiv region.

He noted that Kharkov has a powerful perennial sporting tradition. The city is able to prepare and host major sporting events. "The construction of new sports facilities for Eurobasket 2015 will give a new impetus to the development of Kharkiv. In particular, the sports school for young Kharkiv citizens will open up new opportunities for future athletes," said Alexander Vilkul.

Government draws investments in sport infrastructure of Kharkiv region on public-private partnership. In particular, multifunctional arena will be built at the expense of investor, East European Energy Company (VETEK). It is expected that the volume of investments would be of about UAH 350 million. Thus 25% of that amount is equity capital of the investor, and 75% - credit that it receives from the bank. By 2020, the investor returns body of the loan to a bank and the state compensates interests of the loan. The interest rate will be below average.

"Construction of sports facilities in Kharkiv will create new jobs as temporary - during the construction of facilities, and permanent, for future service of infrastructure," vice Prime Minister said.

Multifunction "Kharkiv arena" consists of two parts: the arena and training rooms. General complex will also includes training base, which after the championship will be transferred to youth sports school.

"We can hold competitions with nearly 100 sports at the new multifunctional arena, including basketball, volleyball, boxing, athletics and martial arts. Arena provides the installation of the ice cover for competitions in figure skating and hockey. In addition, there will be held concerts, exhibitions and other public events here," Olexandr Vilkul said.