In King's City, public sports fields adjacent to Ibra look like they've been abandoned for years. In reality, they have been neglected by city authorities. The city has traditionally valued showcasing talent on these fields over competitive matches, but the current state of disrepair would tarnish many reputations.
The city government annually spends 1.7 million euros on sports clubs, a figure deemed illegal by the budget inspection. "Amateur sports have been completely ignored. The money supposedly invested in professional clubs is often diverted into private pockets," says Milan Vučetić, a member of the National Movement of Serbia in King's City's assembly.
The fields exhibit broken tables, bent basketball hoops, and damaged floors. Despite these conditions, city officials recently celebrated the opening of Youth Sports Games.
"This city and its mayor have completely ignored ordinary people and children. It's unbelievable that just two days ago, over 500 children were here, and they were welcomed in such a manner," explains Vučetić.
The city is known for basketball, with many famous players having trained on these fields. Now, even those who wish to play cannot use the facilities properly.
How can the city authorities justify such neglect? This situation is a slap in the face for all the young athletes who dream of playing in these fields. Isn’t it time for a change?