Novo Mesto Got Moving this April!

On 12^th and 13^th April, our Pilot site in Novo Mesto, the Olympic Centre within the Češča Vas park, hosted the first edition of Športno mesto festival of sport and recreation took place.

The festival was officially opened by Aleš Makovac, director of Zavod Novo mesto, and Urban Kramar, Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Novo mesto. Kramar remarked:

“We are delighted to end this celebratory week—during which we marked 660 years since the founding of Novo mesto—with a sports event. In doing so, athletes have added their unique touch to this beautiful celebratory story. I believe the sports scene in Novo mesto has a lot to show, and in recent years, we’ve made real progress in terms of infrastructure. It’s only right that we locals embrace it first, and then welcome visitors from near and far. The Olympic Centre definitely has that potential.”

The festival was divided into three segments: an expo area, activities by sports clubs and organizations promoting a healthy lifestyle, and various accompanying events.

The expo featured seven providers of sports equipment and services, including Elan, A2U, Kolesa Smole, Iglu šport, Kibuba, Prevent center, and WYL, who showcased and sold their products and services.

Visitors could get moving with the local branch of Šola zdravja (School of Health), test their scouting skills with the Gorjanci Scouts, go hiking along part of the Rudolf Trail with the Hiking Society Novo mesto, or join workshops and play on inflatables with the Oton Youth Centre.

They also had the chance to try out various sports hosted by local clubs and organizations: Rugby Club Novo mesto, Tennis Club Portovald, Men’s Handball Club Krka, Swimming Club Novo mesto, Triathlon Club Novo mesto, Hiking Society Novo mesto, Štrbunk Association of Slovenia, Slovenian Paralympic Committee, Boxing Club Boxeo, Sports Club Bushido, and Athletic Club Krka. Additionally, the local fire brigade GRC Novo mesto, PGD Prečna, Novo mesto Police Department, Red Cross Novo mesto, RTC Gače, and the Epona Equestrian Institute presented their activities. The Equestrian Sports Education Center Češča vas and Equestrian Society Vizir opened their doors to the public, and on Sunday, admission to the swimming pool was free.

A variety of events also enriched the weekend: Saturday featured the Battle of Young Talents 12, with over 70 young competitors taking part, and discussions with elite athletes. Swimmers Neža Klančar and Janja Šegel and former professional cyclist Jani Brajkovič shared their sports experiences and insights. Young investor Andraž Barbo presented future accommodation upgrades planned for the Olympic Centre. The day also included the first meeting of Slovenia’s touring bike guides and a relay race at the velodrome organized by Athletic Club Krka. Sunday focused on cycling. As part of Bike Day, cycling enthusiasts took part in multiple group rides and tried out various cycling activities. The youngest visitors enjoyed the play Foksi and the Olympic Treasure, organized by the Slovenian Olympic Committee, while Adria Mobil Cycling Club held a spectacular competition at the velodrome.

The festival officially wrapped up with a live viewing of the Paris–Roubaix cycling race in the pool hall atrium.

Ana Seliškar, head of the Olympic Centre Novo mesto, concluded the festival with thanks:

“We’re grateful for the active participation of all clubs and associations that joined us for one or both days. We appreciate the flexibility of our service and equipment providers who adapted to both sun and rain to present their offerings indoors and outdoors at the velodrome. We also want to thank all our speakers, Rado Trifković, and of course every visitor.” She added that the festival also served as a test run for keeping the pool open on Sundays: “If visitor numbers continue to grow, we’ll soon extend opening hours to seven days a week.”

Športno mesto was organized Zavod Novo mesto in collaboration with Athletic Club Novo mesto, Adria Mobil Cycling Club, and the Novo mesto Sports Association, and co-financed by the Municipality of Novo mesto as part of VARCITIES.

Discover more about Novo Mesto’s Pilot on their Pilot page.