Thomas Rajakovics has been at the helm of the Graz Sports Office for around two years, an anniversary that has two main components: On the one hand, the “Corona stumbling block” and the resulting restrictions, on the other hand the dynamism and vigor that will begin in a few days Sports year “Let’s go Graz” brings with it.
More sports, more sports budget
The prophecies of doom against the opposition at the time, especially from the KPÖ – Rajakovics was previously in the office of Mayor Siegfried Nagl – he is now taking calmly. “I’ve been doing sports myself all my life, at functionary level, together with friends, I brought a volleyball club from practically zero to Bundesliga level, I think the conditions are right.” In addition, there was a unanimous decision in his favor at the hearing. The former ÖVP local politician does not want to rest on that. “It is more important that after two years a lot of what I have presented to the Commission is already being implemented.” The sports year is part of it, but also the development of a sports strategy for the city and probably the most important point: a significant increase in the city’s sports budget.
“More sports awareness at all levels”
His many years of political experience in the local council doesn’t hurt, of course, but he makes it clear: “There is good coordination with politics, but no dependency.” What benefits sport in any case: The four city leaders of the VP-FP coalition in the town hall are actively involved in sport, and awareness-raising in Graz is accordingly. Something that Rajakovics misses to a certain extent at higher levels in the federal and state levels: “I would wish for this positive approach and the image that sport is more than just a little exercise for society everywhere.”
Slovenia as a role model
Rajakovics wants to orient the sports city Graz to the best in the future. “Of course, the Scandinavian countries are role models. But a glance at the neighbors is often enough – Slovenia, for example, does great things in sport,” he says. Above all, he locates a background: “In Slovenia, from kindergarten to university, only trained sports teachers are at work, sport is not an appendage, but a major.” The result can be measured objectively, the 1.6 million inhabitant country is at least equal to Austria in volleyball, basketball, soccer and some other sports. Laibach is currently a member of the “global active cities”, an exciting network that includes Buenos Aires, Hamburg and Liverpool, among others. Graz is for the first time twin city and is aiming for certification as an official part of the association.
“Improving society through sport”
In any case, he sees the fire in Graz kindled, Corona is even a bit of a motor: “The hunger for exercise has never been as great as it is now, the sports year comes at exactly the right time. And he is not afraid of aroused desires:” On the contrary . It would be nice if we couldn’t resist the sheer demands for sports opportunities. “Which brings him back to his political mentor:” Siegfried Nagl always has very clear ideas about where the journey can go. For the small area of sport for which I am jointly responsible, that means: Sport will change this city in a positive way. You can improve society through sport, I firmly believe in that.
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