President Milanović: Young People Should Have the Opportunity to Do as Many Sports as Possible, One Should Practice Sports
The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović attended the opening ceremony of the 56th European Senior Karate and Para-Karate Championships in the Žatika sports hall taking place from 19 to 23 May in Poreč.
The competition with more than 1,200 participants expected from 52 European states is one of the major sports events in the Republic of Croatia this year. It is also significant since it is the final qualifying tournament before the Olympic Games in Tokyo where karate will be featured as an Olympic sport for the first time.
President Milanović is pleased that karate has secured Olympic status. “It is a serious and popular sport, has been practiced worldwide for decades and just now has secured Olympic status. I hope it will stay as such and not find itself in a situation like Greco-Roman wrestling, which is a foundation of the Olympic Games, and has nearly lost its status”, President Milanović told reporters.
Talking about sports in general President Milanović said that he practiced sports his entire life. “Now less, because a person should know his limits. When you reach a certain age you should slow down a bit, but never stop. One has to do sports”, the President said, sending a message to his friends and peers who started playing sports in their forties. He told them to be especially careful because they have a lot of zeal, but the body has its limits.
The organization of such major competitions in Croatia and Poreč is very significant, he said. “The Žatika sports hall, built in 2009 for the handball championships, is intended for such events. My advice is – more and more sports for young people!”, President Milanović remarked.
After the countries participating at the championships were introduced, addresses were made by the President of the Croatian Karate Federation Davor Cipek, the Mayor of Poreč Loris Peršurić, the State Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Tomislav Družak and the President of the World Karate Federation and the European Karate Federation Antonio Espinós.
Attending the opening ceremony of the 56th European Senior Karate and Para-Karate Championships with President Milanović was the Commissioner of the President for Sports Željko Jovanović.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Ana Marija Katić