President Milanović Participates in Closing Ceremony of 29th Plazma Youth Sports Games
The President of the Republic participated in the closing ceremony of the 29th Plazma Youth Sports Games where pupils competed in ten sports disciplines.
In his address, President Milanović noted that as a boy, his life revolved around school, the gym, and the playground, and all the good memories he cherishes, of which he has many, come from sports fields and competitions that were not professional.
He added that these contests were never tense and never mean. They were enjoyable like the Youth Sports Games. “Just keep it up, socialize, compete. It’s not who wins that’s most important, but you have to compete for the result. Once again greetings to Split, greetings to all of you present here this evening. I don’t know if we’ll see you next year, but it’s nice to have seen you this year. Long live Dalmatia like a bright flower”, President Milanović stated.
Speaking to the youth at the closing ceremony of the 29th Plazma Youth Sports Games apart from President Milanović were the president of the Plazma Youth Sports Games Zdravko Marić, Bambi a.d. company representative Jovana Važić, Mayor of Split Tomislav Šuta and the Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Croatia and delegate of the Prime Minister Tonči Glavina.
The Youth Sports Games are held under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee and FIFA, the honorary patronage of the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament. They have been held continuously in Croatia for 29 years, and began their international expansion in 2010 to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and then to Serbia, and in 2024 Slovenia joined.
It is the largest amateur sports event in Europe and a phenomenon of its own, which with its tradition testifies to how a good vision, systematic work and perseverance can create a unique brand that has been recognized by numerous world institutions, top athletes, officials and sponsors. In 2019 alone, the Youth Sports Games brought together more than 202 thousand participants, and this year more than 300 thousand. Students compete in ten sports disciplines: indoor soccer, handball, tennis, table tennis, chess, street basketball, volleyball, beach volleyball, athletics and border guard. First, city, county or inter-county competitions are held, and the final competitions are held in Split. Participation is free for all children at all levels.
Accompanying President Milanović was the Commissioner to the President for Sports Tomislav Paškvalin.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Ana Marija Katić