Sport Scotland has invited councils, educational institutions and other interested parties to bid to host the country’s first National Performance Centre for Sport.

A steering group, led by Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan, has decided on the bid criteria and timetable, which will receive up to £25m of government support, and will be completed by 2016.

Stewart Harris, chief executive of Sport Scotland, said it is a very exciting time for sport in Scotland and the substantial investment in the centre would help the country develop a world-class sporting system at every level.

“This new multi-sport centre will complement the tremendous facilities we already have and those that are being built in Scotland and help our high performance athletes harness their skills and continue delivering on the world stage.”