A sporting chance
According to the latest report from UEFA, Poland's preparations for Euro 2012 are on track to meet all the requirements to host the tournament. There's a general consensus that Poland risks falling behind, but with hard work the preparations will be manageable.
There are other pressing issues, as well - how can Poland benefit from stadiums and other infrastructure long after the competition is over and all the fans head home? Will Poland follow the example of Portugal, host of Euro 2004, whose hard work has translated into long-term profit? Or will it follow in the footsteps of Greece, host of the 2004 Summer Olympics, whose stadiums have turned out to be white elephants? These were the questions that speakers at WBJ's latest Business Breakfast sought to answer.
What gets left behind
Sebastian Gościniarek, manager of advisory services at PwC, noted that Poland would get out of Euro 2012 what it put into it. "The several games that will take place will draw thousands of fans. They will come here and spend their money, which is one of the positive effects," he said.
"But the most important part will be achieved through our preparations - the things that remain after Euro 2012 and the level of development we reach. Above all, infrastructure investments, including roads, railways, airports and tourism infrastructure, like hotels. These investments have to be done by Euro 2012, but will contribute to the future," he added.
Much to do
Dariusz Buza, the director of the Ministry of Sport's office for Euro 2012, said that the project was preordained for success, but nonetheless, there remained much to be done. He was not alone in this opinion.
"Euro 2012 will be a success, like each of the 14 championships before it, and the quality of the event here will not be different than in other places, because our franchiser [UEFA] is very demanding," said Buza. He noted that Poland sends reports to UEFA on the preparations every two weeks. Moreover, a delegation of experts from UEFA regularly comes to Poland to check Polish airports, hotels and sports centers.
"Poland has 10 times more to do than, for example, Austria and Switzerland [hosts of Euro 2008], where hotels have simply been repainted and some seating added to existing stadiums," said Adam Olkowicz, chairman of the Polish Football Association's Euro 2012 committee.
The need for PPP
The experts agreed that certain legislation needs to be changed, specifically the law on public-private partnership (PPP). This would speed up construction work and encourage private investors to take part in the projects - like hotels, roads or sports centers - most of which should be realized in part or in whole using private funds.
"We should focus more on projects to be realized by private investors, because those projects financed from public money will be realized regardless, while private investors need to be convinced that they will make a profit after the event ends," explained Buza.
Demand for roads
When it comes to road infrastructure, Euro 2012 is not the only impetus to get to work done - Poland's roads have long enjoyed a terrible reputation. A massive amount of work remains to be done, but there's no fear that the roads will lack use after the event.
"The preparation process for Euro 2012 could, on the one hand, disturb our [five-year] plan a bit. On the other hand, I hope it will help us to complete the national road network in Poland faster and at the highest quality," said Janusz Koper, the head of the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways.
Koper added that now, for the first time since WWII, the government has prepared a single, consolidated five-year plan for road construction, and funds have already been guaranteed for the whole period. It should be noted that Koper submitted his resignation the day after the Business Breakfast.
Sports education
Euro 2012 will, without a doubt, bequeath a strong sporting legacy, the experts agreed. The stadiums and sports centers, however, have the authorities worried as to what purpose they will serve after the competition ends.
PZPN's Adam Olkowicz noted that the level and quality of sports education in Poland was far below that of other countries and that the edifices built for Euro 2012 would help to educate future Polish athletes. However, he also hoped that stadiums would not be used purely as sports venues, but would also be used for business meetings, conferences and large events, leisure activities and night life.
Read what our experts had to say about roads, stadiums and looking post Euro 2012.
Sebastian Gościniarek talks about advantages of the soccer championships.
Adam Olkowicz talks about Poland and Ukraine being chosen as hosts.
Dariusz Buza looks at stadiums multipurpose.
Janusz Koper talks about ongoing projects for roads and motorways.
