KARAN: REPUBLIKA SRPSKA TO CONTINUE INVESTING IN SPORTS AND HEALTHY FUTURE

BANJA LUKA, APRIL 27 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska President Siniša Karan said that Republika Srpska will continue to support the development of sports, sports infrastructure, clubs, associations and top talents, as this represents an investment in a healthy future.

"It is our duty to create conditions in which athletes and sports professionals will have the opportunity to train, improve and achieve their dreams. By supporting sports, we are investing in a healthy future for Republika Srpska", Karan said at the "Football Day" event in Banja Luka. Karan noted that sport, especially football, teaches discipline, responsibility and teamwork. Football Association of Republika Srpska President Vico Zeljković said in his address that football is not just a game, but a universal language of friendship, respect and unity. "Football brings people together, breaks down barriers and builds bridges among peoples, clubs and generations", Zeljković said. He reminded that the Football Association of Republika Srpska, founded in 1992 in extremely difficult times, is today a strong and stable organization bringing together around 350 clubs and more than 25,000 registered players. Banja Luka Borac player Stefan Savić was named the best footballer of Republika Srpska for the past year, while coach Mladen Žižović, who tragically lost his life, was posthumously awarded the Dr Milan Jelić Award. The most promising footballer award went to Matej Deket, a young Borac player from Banja Luka, while Ognjen Šešlak and Božidar Dimitrić were also nominated for the Srđan Kačar Award. The Ilija Miljuš Award for best coach in Republika Srpska went to Perica Ognjenović, head coach of Rudar Prijedor. The best football referee in Republika Srpska is Dragan Petrović from Banja Luka, who received the Ratko Kragulj Award, while the Ilija Pantelić Award for best sports official went to Miroslav Bojić from Laktaši. The best female footballer from Republika Srpska is Milena Nikolić, a player for CSKA Moscow, while the best futsal player is Vladimir Džombić.