The FIS World Cup event in Bulgaria's Bansko resort in 2011 will cost between 4.5 million and five million leva, half of which will be provided by the Government, Tseko Minev, head of the Bulgarian Ski Federation (BSF) told Bulgarian media on November 30 2010.

"We are trying to meet all the conditions set up by the International Ski Federation (FIS), while at the same time, we strive to generate a normal budget an event of such scale," Minev said, quoted by Dnevnik daily.

"The cost, which will be up to five million leva, will be covered in half by the [Sport Ministry] and the other half by sponsor deals," he added.

Minev said that the organisers of the event had contacted the ministry in advance and received assurance that the money will be made available in time to make the arrangements.

Bansko will host the FIS World Cup men's super combined and slalom races in February 2001. Bansko returned to the World Cup schedule in February 2009, when it hosted two women's downhill races and a super-giant race.

"The FIS requirements for the event are very high," Georgi Bobev, deputy head of the BSF told Dnevnik. "More than 1000 people will be employed during the weekend, while a stand with 5000 capacity – the biggest ever in Bulgaria – will be built at Bunderishka Polyana".

The World Cup in Bansko will start on February 26 with super combined on the first day, and slalom on February 27.

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