The FINANCIAL — The rehabilitation process of the football school “Avaza” has been finished. This is one of the oldest football schools, which has been rebuilt according to UEFA standards by Wissol Group within the Tbilisi Sport’s Infrastructure Development Project. The total cost of the investment was more than GEL 900,000 (USD 537,345).
“We at Wissol feel obliged to support Georgian sport. There are two reasons, first of all because inside the company we have 12 football teams consisting of employees. These teams have regular weekly trainings and competitions. The second reason is that we share the idea that Georgian youngsters should be active in studying and sport. A healthy way of life is the key to success in one’s private life and career,” says Samson Pkhakadze, Chairman of the Wissol Board of Directors.
“The renovated area enables both the coaches and the young players to work harder. Now there are all the conditions for raising successful footballers. The new complex includes everything starting from fifth generation turf certificated by UEFA to shower-baths. I’m expecting that more and more children will come to the football school “Avaza” because now we have much higher standards to offer and this will eventually add more successful players to Georgian football,” explains Dato Katsitadze, football coach at “AVAZA”.
A 15 old player, Luka, says that the new improved conditions will give additional stimuli to him.
“I’ve been playing here since I was 6 years old. Before the rehabilitation took place we had to play on a gravel pitch. Now we have new lockers, a new pitch, the plural shower-baths. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to train harder now and be able to play in the Georgian National Football Team in the future.”
Luka is one of the youngsters hoping to be successful and play in one of the European football clubs as an adult. As one of the coaches at “Avaza” says, this renovated stadium will help in raising many high class future footballers.
Nodar Machavariani, who is now playing in the National Team of Georgia, told Levan Lomtadze, reporter of The FINANCIAL, that the rehabilitation works have definitely been successful.
“I’ve been playing here for 8 years. I can’t even compare today’s conditions with the conditions that I played in before. This school now offers more to young players. These conditions are well set for those who want to continue playing in Europe at much higher levels,” he told The FINANCIAL.
The cost of training provided by the professional coaches at the football school “Avaza” is GEL 60 for children under 10 and USD 50 for older. The cost includes the medical service fee, transportation, fee for playing in competitions, inventory, etc.
Vellagio, which is part of Wissol Group, built three new stadiums covered with artificial turf. The area of the three stadiums is 100X68, 40X20 and 70X35. The pitches that were installed are fifth generation turf certificated by UEFA. These pitches are used in Champions’ League and UEFA Cup competitions.
“Wissol Group has already made a USD 3,000,000 investment in the development of the sporting infrastructure. This project was started in 2008 and there are many other projects in the process of implementation. We are building a specialized rugby sports complex in Didi Digomi, a wrestling sports complex in the village of Digomi and we are also renovating the rugby sports base on Shuamta Street,” Vaso Khorava, General Director of Wissol, told our reporter.
“One of the most important projects is a modern style open cycling track including an administrative building and training hall. This project is being overseen by Western European architects and specialists,” Khorava added.
As one of the football players training at “Avaza” said, only a cow could tell the difference between real grass and the new generation turf.
The construction works also included the rehabilitation of the drainage systems. This system safely drains water away from running tracks and pitches even in heavy rain. The lighting systems of the stadium enable holding trainings and games at night.
Vellagio is part of Wissol Group and has 3,700 sq. meters of advertising space throughout Georgia. Vellagio has exclusive rights for indoor and outdoor advertisement means at Tbilisi and Batumi international airports.
Since 2007 Wissol Group has been present on the market through its sub-brands: Wissol Petroleum, Wissol Gas, Air Wissol, Wissol Bunkering and Wissol Gas Distribution Company. The parent brand, J.S.C. Wissol Petroleum Georgia, operates the largest network of petrol and compressed natural gas (CNG) stations in Georgia.
Wissol owns the largest network of service stations. Currently the company has over 100 licenses. 80 Wissol service stations will be in operation by the end of 2009 bringing enhanced convenience to its customers. For the time being Wissol is constructing 7-8 petrol stations.
The administrative building of “Avaza” was also renovated according to UEFA standards. The facilities that were also restored were coach rooms, lockers and shower-baths.
The stadium “Avaza” was initiated by legendary Georgian football player Mikheil Meshki in 1970. Many famous Georgian players were trained at this stadium such as Iago Jorjikashvili, brothers Rezi, Achi and Shota Arveladzes, Levan Kobiashvili and many others.
Currently there are 300 young football players training at “Avaza”. The football school provides first aid service, training courses, competition games, the uniforms and all of the inventory needed. The football school “Avaza” also ensures that the teams participate in the competition organized by the Georgian Football Federation.
Written By Levan Lomtadze
