Skopje, 4 August 2025 (MIA) - Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, alongside Minister of Defence Vlado Misajlovski and Minister of Sport Borko Ristovski, attended Monday a cornerstone laying ceremony for a new sports hall at the “General Mihailo Apostolski” Military Academy in Skopje. 

The Ministry of Sport is the investor of the project, which is valued at Mden 64,780,000. The new sports hall is to have dimensions of 45x30 meters, including a standard court for handball, basketball and volleyball, a grandstand with a capacity for 400 spectators, changing rooms and additional substructure. After the investment is completed, the sports hall will be given to the Ministry of Defence for permanent use, for training of the cadets of the Military Academy, however, it will also be available for the students and residents of the Municipality of Aerodrom. 

PM Mickoski expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the project. 

"The deadline for construction is two years. The Minister of Sports is optimistic that we can open it this time next year. Let's see if we can motivate the contractor to work at that pace and put this sports hall into use," the PM told reporters. 

Minister Misajlovski pointed out that this is the first facility to be built within the Military Academy after 30 years, and as a result of the cooperation between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Sport.

"I'd like to point out that construction of a new facility is being launched after 30 years here at the Military Academy. Thirty years of existence - a new facility will really mean a lot to both the cadets and the students, as well as the entire Army. We are not stopping here, we will continue with many other projects. This project comes directly from the Ministry of Sport and indeed - excellent cooperation, I am grateful. We signed a memorandum of cooperation, and we can now see that this project is starting to be implemented," Minister Misajlovski told reporters. 

He added that at the latest government session, a decision was also passed over a reconstruction project, i.e. the Army Home and the "Shar" hotel on Popova Shapka.

Minister Ristovski said that the sports hall will not only be used by athletes, but also by cadets of the Military Academy, local schools in the Municipality of Aerodrom, as well as all children who wish to participate in athletic activities, to engage in sports professionally, sports clubs, etc.  

"This is a multipurpose investment by the Ministry of Sport, carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence," Ristovski told reporters. 

Photo and video: MIA