OVER 700 YOUNG ATHLETES GATHER FOR BASKETBALL FESTIVAL

BIJELJINA, JUNE 13 /SRNA/ – A basketball festival in Bijeljina today brought together more than 700 boys and girls from Republika Srpska, the Federation of BiH, Brčko District and Serbia.

The festival was officially opened by Republika Srpska Assistant Minister for Sports Danijela Đapin, who said that the large number of participants confirms the importance of investing in the youngest athletes. "Investing in work with children is an investment in the future. I am particularly pleased that children with developmental disabilities are also included in the Festival, because sport plays an extremely important role in their development and socialization", Đapin said. The Festival is sponsored by the Republika Srpska Ministry of Family, Youth and Sports, which provided basketballs for the participants. Festival organizer Branimir Đokić said that the main goal was to bring together children from different communities through sport and send a message of unity, friendship and equal opportunities. The Festival was also supported by Aleksandar Đurđević, former president of the Bijeljina City Assembly and the Basketball Federation of Republika Srpska, who said that events such as this demonstrate how much sport can contribute to the development of positive social values. He congratulated Feniks basket Club and the Koš Youth Basketball Club on their excellent organization and the effort they invest in developing sports among young people.