The Skopje-based "Goce Delcev" elementary school for the first time in its 90-year existence got a modern sports hall.

The 650-square meter facility has equipment for various sports including handball, futsal, basketball, gymnastics and table tennis. 23 million denars were invested in its construction with the funds being provided by the state budget and the Council of Europe Development Bank.

It is part of the government-run project for construction of 145 school sports halls across Macedonia.

"Today the school gets state-of-the-art sports hall. I hope that one day a student of this school will become a top athlete capable to compete for the Macedonian national team," Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said in his speech at an opening ceremony.

Minister of Education and Science Spiro Ristovski said the project for construction of 145 halls would be resumed in all Macedonian municipalities. "Having in mind the role of sports in education, providing infrastructure is a precondition for taking advantage of the benefits it offers," noted the minister.