29.09.2015.

Serbian athletes ready for the Military World Games in Korea

On the occasion of the participation of military athletes at the 6th Military World Games in the Republic of Korea, today, in the Sports Centre of the Military Academy, a press conference was held, which was attended by the State Secretaries in the Ministry of Defence, Deputy Ambassador of South Korea in the Republic of Serbia Kichang Park, representatives of national sports federations and organizations, as well as members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces.

Head of the Serbian delegation at the International Council for Military Sports Brigadier General Sinisa Radovic said that tomorrow 27 athletes would begin their travel to South Korea, who will take part in the biggest event in military sports alongside competitors from foreign armed forces.

- Athletes of the Serbian Armed Forces have achieved notable results in domestic but also in international competitions; not only those that are here today, but also those that are currently in their units. With their self-denial, commitment and with our modest help, they were able to achieve these results and become equal competitors, and often superior opponents, whom, without false modesty, many fear - General Radovic said, expressing his belief that medals would not be lacking after this prestigious competition either.

- You have been chosen to represent Serbia and the Armed Forces in this global event. With your involvement, you distinguish our country, the military and yourselves. Do everything in your power to do it the best possible way, with dignity and pride, as befits a Serbian soldier - General Radovic said, wishing our athletes a safe journey, good health and success in the forthcoming competitions.

Head of the Department of Military Sports in the Military Academy Lieutenant Colonel Dragan Todorov, who is going to South Korea as the technical director of our delegation, said that about 4,000 athletes would measure their strength in different sports at five locations during the 12 days of competition.

- Bearing in mind that about 20 percent of participants of the games are top athletes, it is clear that the medal will not easily to win. However, what is more important than the medals, which, in the end, are just a piece of metal, are friendships that will be born or strengthened there, said Lt. Col. Todorov, stressing that these are the fourth Military World Games with our country participating.

On behalf of the athletes, Sergeant Radmila Djuric addressed the atendees, one of the members of our parachuting team, who said that the Serbian athletes had started preparing for the Games almost immediately after the completion of the previous ones, which had been held four years ago in Rio de Janeiro.

- In accordance with capacities we were given, we, as athletes, have given our maximum to prepare as much as possible. I'm sure that we will worthily defend the colours of our country and our military - Sergeant Djuric said, stressing that practice and readiness were not the only things standing in their way to medals, but also luck.

Head of the Mission of the Republic of Serbia at the 6th CISM Military World Games will be Brigadier General Sinisa Radovic, Head of the Serbian delegation at the CISM technical director Lt. Col. Dragan Todorov, Head of the Department for Military Sports, and the team physician will be Captain Deniel Pesic from the Military Medical Academy.

Military World Games are the most important military sports event that takes place every four years. At this year's Games, the sixth in a row, it is expected that more than 8,500 athletes and delegation members from over 100 countries will participate. From 1 to 12 October in Mungyeong , at the world's largest event gathering military athletes, Serbia will be represented by athletes competing in athletics, parachuting, shooting, orienteering, judo and military pentathlon. This is our country's fourth participation in this prestigious military sports championship.