Estonia opens Jubilee mini-pitch

Estonia has received a prototype mini-pitch from UEFA as a Jubilee gift from the European body. The mini-pitch was presented under the auspices of the UEFA HatTrick assistance programme, as part of the 50th birthday celebrations being marked by European football's governing body.

Opening ceremony
The mini-pitch was officially opened at the A. Le Coq Arena training centre in the capital, Tallinn, at a ceremony attended by UEFA honorary treasurer and Executive Committee member Dr Mathieu Sprengers; the Mayor of Tallinn, Mr Tõnis Palts; the president of the Estonian Football Association (EJL), Indrek Kannik; and the head of Tallinn’s Sports and Youth Department, Jaak Raie.

Other sports
In addition to football, the new pitch can also be used for other sports, such as basketball, volleyball, handball and tennis. With the inauguration of this pitch, the EJL has launched a mini-pitch project which aims to build at least 40 playing fields of the same nature throughout the country in co-operation with local municipal authorities. The Estonian association has also reached an agreement with the Ministry of Culture, which is ready to take part in the project.