Amir Alagic, head coach of the Sri Lanka men’s national football team, speaks to Sports Tourism Media co-editor Ramy Salameh about his sports travel life as a coach, fan and holidaymaker.
Alagic, a Uefa Pro Licence coach and a former Yugoslavia international player, has managed teams in many countries including Bosnia, Germany, Australia, USA, Brunei, Oman and Kuwait.
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What was your most memorable sporting holiday and why?
It was a grand slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia. It had a great atmosphere, with plenty of fans attending from around the world and the biggest stars in the game were playing. The Rod Laver Arena is a spectacular stadium and offers much more than being just an arena for spectators. After a match ends, you can then enjoy the city, food and drinks.
What was the best sports venue/stadium that you had a chance to manage in?
One that is etched in my mind forever is the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Brunei. It is such a great stadium with some oriental touches. I celebrated winning the double crown [Brunei Premier League and Super Cup] in this stadium with DPMM FC back in 2004.
If you could choose one adventure activity to do on holiday what would it be and where?
Since early childhood, I enjoyed spending time by the water. I would mix adrenaline and adventure together. That’s why I would definitely take advantage of rafting on holiday. It would be on the emerald river Una in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Una River is approximately 215km long and is considered one of, if not the most beautiful river in the entire country. The name Una River is thought to derive from the Romans who considered it to be the most spectacular waterway in the whole Roman Empire.
What’s the ultimate sporting tournament you would attend purely as a fan?
In my opinion, there is only one such event and that is the Fifa World Cup. When this global event kicks off, all eyes are focused on the greatest football tournament on earth and it feels like the whole planet is talking about it.
In February 2020 you were appointed head coach of Sri Lanka. What does the overall sport tourism landscape look like in the country?
Sri Lanka is a paradise for tourists. Beautiful sandy beaches, a year-round warm climate and attractive hotels are a lure for global travellers. It offers huge opportunities for recreation and sports activities. The appropriate infrastructure and sports venues are yet to be constructed. However, this does provide a lucrative place for tourism investors in a safe and peaceful environment.
You have travelled widely as a coach, does any specific country impress you through their sports tourism offering?
Actually, I would mention two countries that have impressed me the most. One of them is my homeland Australia with an incredible array of venues and natural landscapes, which attract millions of visitors every year. The second one is Germany, this country specifically focuses on sport tourism and therefore their venues and sports arenas are state-of-the-art providing all kinds of physical activities in combination with relevant touristic spots. It is no wonder that Germany is one of the leading countries when we are talking about sports tourism.
For enquiries about Amir Alagic contact centricsm.com