May 1, 2021 - Construction on the Jadran Split Zvoncac pool is nearing completion and was visited on Friday by the Minister of Tourism and Sports Nikolina Brnjac.

On Friday, the Minister of Tourism and Sports Nikolina Brnjac, accompanied by Mayor Andro Krstulović Opara, Secretary-General of the Croatian Swimming Federation Ivana Jerković, and Olympian Marin Mogić, visited the Jadran swimming pool and engine room at Zvoncac. These are works worth over HRK 9.8 million, and the project was co-financed by the Government of the Republic with HRK 7.5 million, reports Slobodna Dalmacija. 

"Split is an inexhaustible source of sports talents, who have brought many international successes not only to Split but also to the whole of Croatia and contributed to the recognition of our homeland throughout the world. I thank the prefect of our homeland all over the world. I thank Prefect Boban and Mayor Krstulović Opara for their cooperation and for all the efforts made to keep Split a center of excellence in Croatian sports," said Minister Brnjac, adding that in 2019 and 2020, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports co-financed 56 infrastructure projects in the total amount of more than HRK 30 million, while this year it will co-finance another 43 new infrastructure projects of HRK 15 million.

In total, through other tenders and activities in 2016 in Split-Dalmatia County, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports in the field of sports has invested more than HRK 40 million, including co-financing major sporting events, which Split will host, such as the Olympic basketball qualifying tournament in the summer or the European Water Polo Championships, to be held next year.

Jadran swimmer Marin Mogić, who is preparing for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, could not hide his happiness. Mogić and his colleague Franko Grgić gave an additional impetus to do all this, thanks to their excellent results.

"I am happy that this project, after so many years of planning, has finally come true. When I went inside, I said that everything was a bit bizarre because it had been talked about for so many years, and honestly, one small part of me thought it would never happen. I am glad that Franko and I gave an additional incentive with our results to speed up the project and make it right," said Marin.

Srđan Kovačić, president of the Jadran Sports Association, was also very emotional.

"This is one of our dreams for a long time, and that dream turns into a reality. I can't come to my senses at this point. We will finally be able to train in our pool 365 days a year," said Kovačić.

"After completing the energy renovation of the swimming pool on Poljud, worth HRK 80 million, this is the second step worth HRK 10 million. We will have a winter pool that will relieve the renewed one in Poljud, and together they will raise the quality of training," said Krstulović Opara.

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.