The decentralization reform, launched five years ago, has allowed dozens billions hryvnias of funds to be transferred to local budgets, which today must be effectively invested in the full development of people, in particular education, culture, sports infrastructure. Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman said during the Government sitting. One of the issues of the meeting was the assessment of the implementation of programs for the development of a network of sports facilities in Ukraine. As is known, from 2016, 10% of financing from the State Regional Development Fund are allocated for the construction and renovation of sports facilities. And last year the volume of amount of funding made up UAH 600 million, 137 projects were approved. An additional resource was provided by communities.

"It is crucial for local governments not to stand aside problems", said Volodymyr Groysman. "Sometimes I hear: why do we have to finance sports and culture, we'll be better planting cedars. No, it is incorrect. The main thing is to invest in a person."

The Head of Government stressed that mass sports means the new stadiums, new sports halls, sports facilities. This is also the image of the country - both in view of the participation of Ukrainian athletes in competitions and in view of the possibility of hosting competitions in Ukraine. "A lot has been done in recent years, but we can achieve more. For this purpose, everyone must adhere to a clear prioritization", he added, offering that communities should work out a program for building stadiums near schools, based on the principle of developing kindergartens network and reducing the queues to preschool institutions. The stadiums, according to the Prime Minister, will become hubs of a healthy lifestyle, first of all, among children and young people.