Believers will visit Koševo for five days after Pope Francis leaves

The Organising Committee for the reception of Pope Francis has taken over the Asim Ferhatović Hase stadium at Koševo from the Centre for Sports and Recreation and has begun assembling a large central tribune for the celebration of Mass on 6 June before more than 60,000 believers and visitors, writes the Bosnian news agency Patria.

As the head of marketing at the Centre for Sports and Recreation, Haris Fazlagić, said, it is of crucial importance that the stadium be returned to its previous condition after the Holy Father's visit.

- That will not be possible immediately after the Pope leaves because believers will come and visit the stadium where Pope Francis was for five days. So, our activities do not end with the Pope's departure - said Fazlagić.

On the other hand, Fazlagić explained, a UEFA inspection will visit the stadium in mid-June to ensure that the stadium is ready for Europa League matches. As many as three Sarajevo clubs - Olimpic, Sarajevo and Željezničar - will play their home matches at Koševo.

- The Presidency of BiH and the Organising Committee have agreed through signed contracts to finance the repair of the stadium because the pitch must meet UEFA criteria, so we must complete everything in record time - said Fazlagić.

Fazlagić warned all users of the parking lot next to the Koševo stadium that it is intended for VIP persons and believes that security services will take over supervision of the parking lot as early as Friday evening.