The Bulgarian government is willing to invest BGN 140 M (nearly EUR 72 M) in a new stadium or in the reconstruction of an old one, the country's Finance Minister Simeon Djankov revealed Friday.

The Minister pointed out that sports facilities are generally a good investment, since not only professional athletes would benefit from them, but would help also ordinary folk and children get healthier.

Djankov gave as an example the Bulgaria's first National Sports Arena in Sofia, whose construction was completed ahead of schedule at the end of April, and which triggered negative reactions suggesting the money for it could have been spent on something more urgent.

"When people see how many new events can take place there, not just sport events, but also cultural, when they see how Sofia and Bulgaria's overall image improves, they will understand the investment is worth it," Djankov said, as cited by Darik radio.

Bulgaria's Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, is very passionate about sports and has pledged to provide major investments for sports facilities. At the end of 2010, he announced he considered building a new national stadium near the Sofia airport. In April, however, he said he mulls re-building four or five stadiums instead, all of which in the capital Sofia.