10.06.2010.

Third SAF sports championship opened

The third SAF sports championship started today at MA sports grounds.
The competition was opened by Minister of Defense Dragan Sutanovac accompanied by SAF GS Deputy Chief LTG Mladen Cirkovic, the Chairman of the Olympic Committee of Serbia Vlade Divac, Assistant Minister for Sports and Youth Goran Kreclovic, the chairman of the Sports Association of Serbia Aleksandar Sostar, and the legendary athlete Dane Korica, as well as the Archbishop of Hvost Atanasije Rakita and other numerous dignitaries.

The promoters of this year’s sports championship are Jasna Sekaric, who will be promoting shooting, Slobodan Brankovic-athletics, Vladimir Grbic-volleyball, Dragan Jacimovic- orienteering, Vuk Raskovic-judo, Aca Kovacevic-futsall, Tamara Sota-fencing, Milja Ratkovic-free climbing, Jovan Tomic-archery and Nikola Pavkovic-kick box..

While opening the ceremony, Minister admitted that he was a little bit nervous because he was to address such sports heroes, but this fright was a positive thing, since this is the first time that sports in SAF has taken such an important place.
Reminding that over 3000 members of SAF have been competing in lower level competitions in previous months, he added that these athletes had gathered have gathered here today not to seek the best but to socialize and demonstrate that the spirit of sports lives in them.

-Today we will have no losers, everyone is a winner today, both spectators and contestants as we all strive to promote sports. Physical training is of paramount importance for SAF and this is how we boost our capacities.

He reminded of the achievements of SAF in the International Military Sports Association where out of 46 competitions they came with 26 medals-14 gold, seven silver and eight bronze medals. This should serve as a boost to all the young people who have maybe lost confidence that they can do the same. The medals brought by military skiers are very important for both the army and the state.
That medal is the symbol of our country and of the defense system especially.
He thanked all the participants, wishing them success, and declared the competition open with: Long live Serbia!.

MA Chief Brig. Gen. Mladen Vuruna welcomed the guests and dignitaries reminding them that this was a year of MA’s 160th anniversary and the third SAF sports championship.
The competition was opened by a jump of two parachutists of the Special Brigade bearing the flag of Serbia.

Statements

Jasna Sekaric
- I was happy to accept the MoD and SAF’s invitation to attend this celebration of sports as I am always happy to attend such events. The MA and the army have always been very forthcoming in allowing us to train at MA where there are excellent conditions. The link between sports and army has always been there, as the army has always helped the organization of sports events.

Vlade Divac-Chairman of the Olympic Committee of Serbia

-I am glad I have attended this manifestation as it is obvious that SAF are eager to invest in sports and do cherish the sports. Sport is very important in Serbia but cannot function without the army. After the talks we had with Minister Sutanovac , we agreed that this link should be strengthened.

Tamar Sotra-promtes fencing
I am very much pleased with the organization of this event as we are in need of such excellent sports events. Fencers have had a very long and fruitful cooperation with the Serbian army, as fencing is a part of the Serbian history which is why we cherish it to this day.

Dragan Jacimovic-promotes orienteering – The Military academy has excellent conditions for training and many professional athletes come here to train, and I used to train here too. I believe that the main goal of this manifestation is to raise it to another level a much higher level, than at what sports used to be in the army, better training conditions create better chances of success, and this is an excellent way to promote SAF.

Dragan Tasic-promotes archery

I am extremely pleased to be part of this event as I have served my duty in the MA sports regiment. Military athletes have made excellent results not only in archery but in other sport disciplines as well. This disciplines I very much important for the Special Forces of SAF.