The government is to propose giving the Copenhagen and Frederiksberg municipalities the means to spend more on sports facilities, culture minister Joy Mogensen said in an interview with the P4 København radio station.

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Specifically, the proposal would enable the two central Copenhagen municipalities to invest one billion kroner on public sports facilities between 2022 and 2030.

“(Copenhagen and Frederiksberg) are a long way behind in relation to the rest of the country in relation to how many facilities there are for the population in those municipalities,” Mogensen told P4.

More facilities should be available for both children and adults in the area, according to the government. An additional argument for the proposal is that the additional facilities will strengthen local communities.

“The difference that these investments very hopefully will make is simply that all children and young people will have better access to strong communities and good experiences through (sports) associations, outside of their school and working lives,” Mogensen said.

Municipal authorities would have control over how to use the money and on what type of facility.

Sports organisation DGI gave its backing to the government plan, citing its potential to boost the health of people in the capital.

“The government’s proposal is crucial for the development of sports associations in the capital region. And a prerequisite for positive health amongst children, young people and adults,” DGI’s national chairperson Charlotte Bach Thomassen told news wire Ritzau in a written comment.

“DGI has for many years sought better possibilities for Copenhagen and Frederiksberg in particular to invest more in sports facilities. Because the capital is lagging markedly behind the average,” Thomassen added.

The sports plan from the government is part of a broader proposal for development in cities across Denmark along with Copenhagen, scheduled to be presented later on Wednesday by Mogensen along with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.