Even before the inauguration, the University of Physical Education's completed multi-purpose hall passed the test with flying colours

The opening ceremony of the Dr. Jenő Koltai Sports Centre of the Hungarian University of Physical Education and Sport Sciences was held in conjunction with the opening of the academic year. The new sports complex of Budapest was inaugurated at the grand event, which will be open to the public as well as to students of the university.

The construction of the university's sports fields and multi-purpose hall on Csörsz Street in the 12th district of the capital was carried out by ZÁÉV Zrt. based on the plans of TSPC Kft..

The Dr. Koltai Jenő Sports Centre, built on nearly 40,000 square metres, includes an 8,000 square metre athletics track with an IAAF 2 international certification, including a football pitch with a live grass surface. In addition, an artificial grass football pitch and two acrylic hard-cover tennis courts have been completed by Debrecen-based Globál Sport Kft..

The aim is not only to serve athletes, but also to improve people's quality of life

Prof. Dr. h.c. Lajos Mocsai, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University Foundation, stressed that

The Dr. Koltai Jenő Sports Centre made a successful debut during the World Athletics Championships held in Budapest from 19-28 August, as the newly completed sports complex was used as a training ground by the Olympic and world champions. He said that the inauguration of the facility on 4 September 2023 would thus be a day in the history of higher education in sport.

"The university has built this fantastic system of facilities on its own territory, in its own right, primarily for the benefit of young people, our children, our grandchildren and the whole of Hungarian higher education, and in order to improve the lifestyle and quality of life of the people living here." He added: "I feel that I have reached the end of a pilgrimage with many low points and many high points."

The Dr. Koltai Jenő Sports Centre passed the test with flying colours, as by the end of the summer a sports complex of such a high standard was created that it was able to host the world's greatest athletes during the World Championships. This has already been said by Dr. Ádám Scmidt, Minister of State for Sport at the Ministry of Defence. He added that the facility will enable the long-established higher education institution to meet the challenges of the model change. "The eponym Dr. Jenő Koltai, who has done a lot for the theoretical and practical development of sport during his decades-long coaching and academic career, would now be proud. The spirit that he represented will live on in the institution, which will help to produce excellent sportsmen and sportswomen in the future."

According to Prof. Dr. Tamás Sterbenz, the facility will have a truly strategic impact, creating a link between the XII district and the university. In particular, he praised the designers, the builders and the staff who, through years of hard work and the last days of the event, even into the night, made it possible for the athletics world championships to welcome the use of the tracks.

After the speeches, the sports centre was inaugurated, followed by the opening ceremony of the Hungarian University of Physical Education and Sport 2023/2024.

The university uses innovative technologies to maintain the tracks

Two Laykold Masters 5 tennis courts have been built in the Csörsz Street Sports Centre, which is also the official court laboratory for the US Open. The acrylic "hard surface" tennis courts require major maintenance once a year to ensure that the courts are in perfect condition for the players.

The operation of such a newly built sports centre is a major task for the university, but the institution has long been preparing to use professional machines to maintain and clean the sports fields.

Thanks to the sports facility, students do not have to leave the University to practise athletics, indoor sports, football or tennis.