26.01.2026.

Minister Gašić attends ceremony marking Military Sports Day

Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić attended today a ceremony marking Military Sports Day held at the Athletics Hall in Belgrade.

At the beginning of his address, the Minister of Defence extended his congratulations on the Military Sports Day, emphasizing that it is a holiday symbolizing strength, discipline, perseverance, and unity – values that form the foundation of both sport and the military ethos.

- Today is an opportunity for me to thank you for you dedication, effort, and the results you achieve on the sports fields, as well as for your contribution to preserving and strengthening the reputation of our institution and our country. Serbia is a country with a rich sporting tradition, and throughout history, members of the armed forces have been among its pioneers and leading figures. As founders and prominent members of sports associations, they have made a significant contribution to the development of sport and physical education for numerous generations. Military discipline, perseverance, selflessness, and team spirit are just some of the virtues that distinguish every member and every unit of the Serbian Armed Forces – Minister Gašić said, adding that “these same virtues can be seen in athletes and sports teams across our country, who, through fair play and commitment in sports arenas, win medals and bring joy to their supporters.”

Minister Gašić highlighted that the tradition and achievements of Serbian athletes place responsibility on us to continue investing in the development of military sports, because such investment directly contributes to strengthening Serbia’s defence capabilities.

- Enhancing the physical readiness of members of the defence system is a daily activity, an indispensable part of training and preparation for the execution of tasks. With the support of the highest state leadership, the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces are making considerable efforts to ensure the best possible conditions for the training of military athletes, as well as other athletes across the country. I am confident that these efforts will bring many good results and achievements in the period ahead to competitors who proudly wear the insignia of their armed forces and their state - the Minister of Defence said.

Addressing the athletes, he underscored the significance of the excellent results achieved at numerous domestic and international competitions over the past year.

- Your successes are no coincidence. They are the result of hard work and commitment, and a clear indication of the strength of a system that recognizes sport as a key component of professional development. The medals won, records broken, and high standings achieved go far beyond individual or team accomplishments. They are a source of pride for the Ministry of Defence, the Serbian Armed Forces, and the Republic of Serbia as a whole, and they confirm that military sport occupies a prominent place on both the national and international sporting stages. I am confident that we will continue, as we have so far, to nurture and develop military sport as an important segment of the overall strength and readiness of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces – Minister Gašić said, encouraging the athletes to remain an inspiration through their hard work, perseverance, and positive example, for everyone to strive for excellence and victories.

At the conclusion of his address, the Minister of Defence congratulated the Serbian national water polo team on their victory and the gold medal won at the European Championship, noting that they had brought joy to the entire nation. He also thanked the Serbian Athletics Federation, which will build an athletics track within the Požega barracks this year.

The President of the Olympic Committee of Serbia, Dejan Tomašević, emphasized that military sport has a long, rich, and honorable tradition in Serbia.

- The Olympic Committee of Serbia was founded by military officers led by General Svetomir Đukić. As early as the beginning of the last century, General Đukić recognized the importance of sport as a means of educating young people and strengthening national identity, as well as promoting Serbia internationally. His legacy continues to oblige us to preserve the inseparable bond between sport and the military. I have the greatest regard for the contribution that members of the Serbian Armed Forces make to Serbian sport – said Tomašević, adding that the military and sport together create champions.

Colonel Negovan Ivanković, Head of the Republic of Serbia’s Delegation to the International Military Sports Council (CISM), said that the past year had been marked by notable sporting achievements that significantly enhanced the reputation of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces on both the national and international sporting stages.

Colonel Ivanković presented Minister Gašić with a certificate of appreciation in recognition of his contribution to the development of sport within Serbia’s defence system.

During today’s Military Sports Day celebration, awards were presented to the most successful athletes and to the top sports team of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces for 2025.

Minister Gašić presented the Athlete of the Year Award to Elzan Bibić, a civilian employee from the Sports Unit of the Military Academy, Defence University, in recognition of his outstanding sporting achievements. The Minister of Defence was joined by Slobodan Branković, President of the Serbian Athletics Federation, and Colonel Negovan Ivanković, Head of Serbia’s Delegation to CISM, during the award presentation.

The Sports Team of the Year Award, recognizing exceptional performance and contribution to strengthening the reputation of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces in 2025, was presented to the Army’s futsal team by the President of the Olympic Committee of Serbia Tomašević. The award was accepted on behalf of the team by Colonel Sibin Dinčić.

Colonel Ivanković also presented awards for exceptional contribution to strengthening the reputation of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces internationally through outstanding sporting achievements over the past year.

Awards were presented to Major Nevena Jovanović from the Special Purpose Military Police Detachment “Kobre,” to Sergeant Đuro Borbelj from the Sports Unit, and to Sergeant Danijel Miletić, a member of the SAF Parachute Team from the 63rd Parachute Brigade.

Other award winners included Corporal Ajredin Ajeti for his accomplishments in athletics and duathlon, and Tijana Kabić, a civilian employee from the Training Command, for her results in athletics and marathon.

Awards were also presented to cadets Dejan Petrović and Jovana Ćirović for their accomplishments in pentathlon, athletics, and padel.

Students recognized for their sporting successes included Sofia Bućić, for her results in Nordic skiing and biathlon, and Adrian Radenković, for his achievements in swimming.

The Most Successful Young Athlete of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces Award for 2025 was presented to Milica Kojić, a student of the Military Grammar School, in recognition of her outstanding achievements in judo.

The ceremony marking Military Sports Day was attended by members of the Defence Minister’s collegium, representatives of the Serbian Armed Forces, officials from sports institutions, partners, and numerous guests.

Military Sports Day is observed in commemoration of the day when Lieutenant Aleksandar Josifović of the Royal Serbian Army took first place at the International Officers’ Fencing Tournament in 1907, held in the Netherlands to mark the centenary of efforts to develop physical culture in that country.